South Pembrokeshire went Ironman Wales crazy on Sunday for the biggest ever sporting event seen in the county.

Hundreds of spectators turned out to cheer on athletes from around the globe as they competed in the gruelling Ironman Wales contest.

France's Jérémy Jurkiewicz, 23, sprinted across the finishing line in a time of nine hours four minutes 20 seconds, just five seconds ahead of this year's Ironman UK winner, Australia's Aaron Farlow, to take the inaugural Ironman Wales title. In the women's race, Kristin Moeller took the women's title over Anja Ippach, of Germany.

Local hero, Oliver Simon, of Tenby, the third UK competitor, came a creditable 23rd when he crossed the line in nine hours 54 minutes and 43 seconds.

The 31-year-old, who recently turned pro, was first out of the water after the 7 am 2.4 mile swim at North Beach - switched from the South Beach on the day due to the weather conditions.

He completed the swim in 44 minutes 59 seconds, before making the 1,000km run to transition at the Rectory car park to grab his bike for the 112-mile cycle ride around a two-loop course extending from Narberth to Angle.

Five hours 29 minutes after being in the saddle, Oliver, a duty officer at Tenby Leisure Centre, arrived back in transition and swapped his cycling kit for his running shoes for the final leg of the event, a 26.2-mile marathon on four loops.

Three hours 31 minutes and 38 seconds later, June's Long Course Weekend champion made it to the red carpet and crossed the finishing line to huge cheers from the crowd assembled.

Oliver said afterwards: "When I came out of the water, the reaction of the crowd was amazing. Two laps to go on the run, my legs just died and really started to hurt. My aim was to lead the swim and I did that. The crowd around the course were amazing. Cycling through my home town of Narberth was brilliant and hearing so many people shout my name was awesome."

And after a massage and something to eat, Oliver was back at the finish line to cheer on his fellow local athletes crossing the line.

The first-time Ironman Wales event had 1,303 starters, aged from 18 to 75, and 1,136 finishers, a tribute to the tough course and conditions.

Amongst the athletes were 35 military personnel, 49 police officers representing three different countries, 18 firemen and a Creme Egg tester!

Two of the last finishers shortly before the midnight cut-off time were the inspirational duo, American Dave Orlowski, the original Ironman, and Mexican Luis Alvarez, who has competed in every single Ironman in the world and claimed his 77th title.

And for one competitor there was an extra special finish, for he proposed to his girlfriend after crossing the line - and yes she accepted!

The triathlon was a highlight of an incredible weekend of sport and achievement which also saw an expo, IronKids event, presentation ceremony and volunteers party with guest artist Beverley Knight.

Channel 4 will be showing Ironman Wales on October 2 at 7 am.

The date for Ironman Wales 2012 and details for entering are due to be announced soon.