A Pembrokeshire leisure centre worker has proved to be a real life superhero after coming fifth in the UK Iron Man Contest.

Oliver Simon beat over 1,000 contestants in the gruelling sporting event, which was held in Bolton at the end of July.

And what made his achievement even more extraordinary is that it was the first time the 31-year-old from Tenby had entered an Iron Man event!

"It was really good, but I was quite shocked," he said. "Everyone said it was a very hard course, but I've been training on the Iron Man course around Tenby and that's a lot harder."

The Iron Man triathlon is one of the most arduous sporting events in the world with competitors having to swim 2.4 miles, cycle 112 miles before running a complete 26.2 marathon - all without a break.

Oliver, who works as a duty officer at Tenby Leisure Centre, took eight hours 54 minutes to complete the Bolton course, winning $1,800 for his effort.

He first considered entering an Iron Man event after taking part in last year's Tenby Long Course triathlon.

A former competitive swimmer, it was the first time he had taken part in a marathon, so when it was announced that the Iron Man Wales contest would be held in Tenby this Autumn, he decided to give it a go 'as it was on my doorstep'.

This summer he won the Tenby Long Course triathlon, as well as Pembrokeshire Leisure's Go Tri Mini Triathlon in Crymych and Pembrokeshire Triathlon Club's Broad Haven Triathlon.

He opted to take on the Bolton Iron Man challenge as a tester for this September's Tenby Iron Man as he was unsure whether or not he could do the distance.

As it was, Oliver - who went to Greenhill School - led out of the water and was running third for much of the Bolton event before the final 10 miles of the marathon took its toll.

Engaged with an 11-week-old baby daughter, he eased off his preparations for the first week after Bolton, but is now back to training for around three hours every day.

"I've always been an all-rounder and did loads of sports at school," he said.

"I used to swim competitively and it's the discipline I find the easiest. The running used to be my weakest discipline, but I've got better as I've done more of it."

Because of its gruelling nature, less than 30 Iron Man contests are held across the globe every year, with the top finalists in each event taking part in the World Iron Man Championships held in Hawaii in October.

Oliver could have qualified for the Hawaii event had he taken part as an amateur, but as a professional, needed more points from more races.

He's now gearing up for next month's Tenby Iron Man, before aiming for one more race abroad this year.

"I do enjoy it. Sometimes I find it hard to train, but when you get a result like I did in Bolton, then it's every enjoyable!"

• The Wales Iron Man triathlon - one of only eight contests being held in Europe this year - will be held in Tenby on September 11.