Rugby legend Gareth Thomas smashes grueling Ironman race after HIV positive reveal

Rugby legend Gareth thomas has crossed the finishing line of a gruelling 140-mile Ironman triathlon just a day after revealing he is HIV positive.

The 45-year-old completed the mammoth challenge in 12 hours 18 minutes and 29 seconds, placing 413th out of 2,039 participants.

The visibly emotional ex-British and Irish Lions captain paused to hug his husband Stephen during the race as he was supported by parents Yvonne and Barry.

Thomas had vowed to "break the stigma" around the illness after blackmailers put him "through hell" threatening to expose his secret.

He was one of hundreds of athletes tackling the Ironman Wales race in the seaside resort of Tenby in south Wales on Sunday, and was cheered and applauded by crowds during the event.

The sportsman completed the 2.4 mile swim in Carmarthen Bay in just under an hour-and-a-half, then a six-and-a-half hour, 112-mile cycle race across south Pembrokeshire, before an exhausting finish with a 26.2 mile marathon in four hours and 17 minutes.

It comes after Prince William and Jeremy Corbyn led a host of high-profile figures to praise the "role model" for his courage, with the duke personally tweeting his praise of the sporting "legend".

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Former Wales rugby star Gareth Thomas reveals HIV diagnosis

Thomas, 45, who came out as gay in 2009, is thought to be the first UK sportsman to go public about living with the virus, admitting he was driven to suicidal thoughts as a result of his diagnosis.

Thomas, who is set to discuss his diagnosis in a BBC Wales documentary on Wednesday, posted an emotional video on Saturday night in which he publicly “shared his secret”.

Fighting back tears, he said that while revealing his diagnosis made him “extremely vulnerable”, it “does not make me weak”.

“I’m asking you to help me to show that everyone lives in fear of people’s reactions and opinions to something about them, but that doesn’t mean we should have to hide.”

Gary Lineker was among more than 4,600 people to comment on the poignant clip, writing : “Good luck to you”. Fellow sports presenter Gabby Logan added: “Love you GT as always xxx.”

Dame Kelly Holmes tweeted her own response to the rugby legend.

She wrote: “Gareth you are a legend through and through. I am sending so much love, hugs and strength to you."

The former Cardiff Blues player won 103 caps and scored 41 tries for Wales between 1995 and 2007, and he is 13th on the all-time international test try-scoring list.

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Last November, he was attacked in Cardiff city centre in a homophobic hate crime, but asked South Wales Police to deal with the 16-year-old assailant by way of restorative justice.

The sportsman now takes one tablet containing four medications each day, and doctors have said his condition is under control to the point that it is considered "undetectable" and cannot be passed on.

The former full-back added that telling his parents, Yvonne, 70, and Barry, 69, "empowered" him and that his parents and loved ones are supportive.

Thomas said he hopes that his openness will help end the stigma around condition.

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