Long Course Weekend proved to be one of mixed emotions for Robin Campbell.

He signed up for the event alongside his brother-in-law Mike Evans.

Nothing out of the ordinary there you might think, but Mike is part way through gruelling chemotherapy after being diagnosed with a terminal brain tumour after taking part in Ironman Wales last September.

Dad-of-two Mike, a South Wales Police officer, was diagnosed with a terminal brain tumour after he began feeling ill after his daughter Lily’s graduation.

He went to work the following day, but blacked out and hit his head. While in hospital he had a chronic seizure.

It was months later in February this year that the tumour was diagnosed and he was rushed into hospital for surgery.

Since then Mike, 49, has been having treatment at Velindre Cancer Centre, for which he and friends are now actively fundraising, with the total currently standing at more than £23,300.

Mike is currently in the middle of his second bout of chemotherapy and has said that the upping of the treatment has been particularly tough.

“It’s had me on the ropes for a while, but I will fight on,” he said.

“My intention is to keep brain cancer tumour research at the forefront of people’s minds even during these times of political roundabouts, which in my mind has to be kept in perspective for people like myself as no doubt most people could relate to.”

Mike successfully completed the 2.4-mile swim on Friday, the 112-mile bike ride on Saturday and 26-mile marathon run on Sunday... albeit with two minutes to spare. He received a real heroes welcome when he crossed the red carpet finish in Tudor Square.

Among the first to congratulate him was his brother-in-law Robin, 33, whose Long Course Weekend journey sadly came to a catastrophic end on lap two of the 112-mile bike course the day before.

Inspired by Mike to take part in the event, Robin, a civil engineer who constructs flood schemes, crashed off his bike in Templeton.

“I have no memory of my crash,” said Robin. “When I woke up at mile 93, I thought I was in bed thanks to a fleece under my head, then I remember looking out of an ambulance with a straight downhill and lots of traffic,” he continued.

“My helmet definitely saved me. I was very, very lucky, looking at it. I’ve fractured my skull and my face has been glued back together, but otherwise I am okay aside from grazes and cuts and the like.

“I’m so thankful for the care I received on the road from marshals and supporters, from St. Johns Ambulance and the doctors and nurses at Withybush, Haverfordwest, also Tenby police who reunited me with my bike, which was kindly taken to the police station by Simon Hart MP. Thank you all. Your care certainly shone Tenby in a good light.

“My bike needs new handlebar tape, but otherwise will be most likely joining me in September for Ironman Wales.”

Anyone who would like to donate sponsorship to Mike’s appeal, can do so online via www.justgiving.com/fundraising/teamevsy