'These guys started the weekend as friends. They are now legends' - what better way for Activity Wales Events to describe the phenomenal achievement of sportsman Nicky Rees and his friend Gareth Scotcher, who suffers from a debilitating disease.

On Friday, almost 10 years after being diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease - a cruel illness that changed his life forever, Gareth and Nicky undertook a truly astonishing task - The Long Course Weekend.

As Pembrokeshire basks in one of the hottest heatwaves in recent years, over three separate days, Gareth's mind, body and soul was put to the test. It started with a 2.5-mile swim on Friday, a 112-mile bike ride on Saturday and finally a full 26.2-mile marathon on Sunday.

He did it not just for personal gain, but to hopefully raise some money for charity and most importantly to show everyone that no matter your disability or personal problems, with a little help from your friends and loved ones you can achieve anything you put your mind to.

Dubbed the 'Iron Beaver' because of his childhood nickname Gareth, 43, and Nicky, 45, have been friends since playing football and rugby together during their younger days.

But when they set about the Activity Wales Events-organised Long Course Weekend challenge six months ago, neither of them realised how much it would touch the hearts of the people of Pembrokeshire and beyond.

The pair became superheroes almost overnight as word spread about their triathlon quest and their ever-growing 'We're Backing the Beaver' fan club was out in force to support them wherever they went.

"If we had a plan, it certainly went to plan," Nicky, a lecturer in plumbing at Pembrokeshire College and retained firefighter in Tenby told the Observer.

"The three days were just totally overwhelming."

Gareth took to the sea off North Beach for the Wales Swim in a kayak towed by Nicky, while in a recumbent tandem the pair competed in the Wales Sportive and for the Wales Marathon, Gareth was pushed in a sports buggy.

"We had a massive reception when we arrived on North Beach for the swim, and when we crossed the finishing line, I don't think there was a dry eye," continued Nicky.

"The support was huge and I could hear the crowd getting louder and louder from the water."

Gareth and Nicky crossed the finishing line in one hour 28 minutes.

The bike ride was also a success and the duo were awarded their second Long Course Weekend medal in a time of just over eight hours.

"It was hot, hot, hot, but we managed to get round," said Nicky. "We did have one little tumble, but Gareth was fine and was laughing his head off.

"Each individual event was a little harder than the other, with the run being the most difficult, mainly due to the scorching temperatures and the beastly hills.

"But we had massive support right around the course and I can't thank people enough for their cheers. The hardest hill was Greenhill Road. That was tough, but when we got to Lion Corner, we could hear the roar of the crowd and that carried us into Tudor Square where Gareth's children Dylan and Daisy joined us for the red carpet finish."

Hailed as the true winners of the weekend, Gareth and Nicky crossed the marathon finishing line in under five hours and among those to congratulate them first was Mayor, Clr. Mrs. Sue Lane, proudly of course sporting a 'Backing the Beaver' t-shirt!

So what's next for the awe-inspiring buddies? Well, Nicky will be competing in Ironman Wales in September, but watch this space for another Gareth and Nicky epic endeavour.

• See inside for a full report on the Long Course Weekend and other personal reflections by competitors.

FOOTNOTE: To see Gareth's heartwarming pre-event video and to donate sponsorship to the Gareth Scotcher Trust Fund and Motor Neuron Disease, visit http://www.activitywalesevents.com">www.activitywalesevents.com