‘Unsafe for swimming’: Ironman Leeds is latest casualty of heat-fuelled toxic algae

Athletes faced last-minute cancelling of 2.4-mile swim, as experts say pollution and extreme heat are causing blooms

As far as athletic accomplishments go, few are held in higher regard than completing an Ironman triathlon.

The amount of training required to tackle the 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride and 26-mile run that make up the course, as well as the expensive equipment required to train in the first place, means that only about 50,000 people in the world complete a full race and earn the title of Ironman every year.