Two well-known local athletes are taking part in Norseman, the world's toughest long-distance distance triathlon.

It is also the most northern, taking place at the same latitude as Anchorage in Alaska and Nicky Rees and Matthew Evans are taking part in it this weekend.

The race commences with the swim leg. The boys will jump off the back of a car ferry, in the dark at 5 am! They will then race 2.4 miles to the first transition where their own support crew (theirfamilies) will help them warm up and kit-up for the gruelling 112-mile bike ride through the Norweigan mountain ranges.

Just as you thought it could not possibly get any worse, the boys will then run a marathon, broken down with 15 miles in the road before they enter the mountain pass, with the final six miles being a climb straight up to Gaustatoppen cable car summit! There are no feed stations or water stops, only their own crews who will meet with them along the route.

The total ascent is 16,500-feet of climbing - more than double that of Ironman Wales!

Matthew, of Activity Wales, said: "Are we ready? Not a clue! We have done a few Ironman races now between us, but when this opportunity came up, we had to grasp it.

"It is Ironman stripped bare, turned on its head, designed by mad men and a true test in every way possible. Logistically, with the support crew timings, food intake and pacing, there is so much to get right, but we know we have to enjoy every minute of it as this is a once in a lifetime race!"

Nicky, a local fireman and Pembrokeshire College lecturer, added: "It is the ultimate test and for us a first. We don't know what is coming really - it's an adventure as much as it is a race. We have a plan and when that gun goes, we hope we can stick to it! There are so many challenges out there, the biggest being the final 10k of the run, so we know we need to keep enough in the bank both physically and mentally."

Athletes are not allowed to enter the final 10k of the mountain pass without a support crew carrying lifesaving equipment, food etc., so joining them for the last 10k will be their wives, Sophie Evans and Ali Rees, who both have been training vigourously!