After watching his brother Julian compete in Ironman Wales in 2014, Damian Arthur (seen right) from Cresselly decided he wanted to take up the challenge to become an Ironman. And so, following a strict training regime, he also completed the challenging race in 2015.

Like lots of athletes in Pembrokeshire, once you’ve participated, you are hooked, and so he decided to enter again this year. If taking on the endurance event, which is recognised as one of the most challenging events on the Ironman calendar wasn’t enough, he decided that to make the challenge worthwhile, he would aim to collect sponsorship from supportive friends and family to help his second cousin Rudy Cole.

Following problems after birth, Rudy has been left with considerable damage to the left side of his brain and has right-sided hemipareisis. He also suffers from low muscular tone and impaired eyesight, meaning all the normal baby milestones are extremely difficult for him to achieve.

With the support of his family, Damian was able to dedicate his time to train and fully prepare for the event and completed the race in just less than 12 hours, reducing his previous best time by 50 minutes. A tremendous personal achievement and he was able to hand over nearly £1,000 to Rudy’s Trust Fund.

Wesley and Carol Cole (seen right) from Carew joined 20,000 fellow athletes who competed in the Cardiff Half Marathon. Whilst Wesley had taken part in the event back in March, this was Carol’s first attempt at the distance.

Both only began running when the Carew Running Club was formed back in October 2014. Since then they have become stalwarts of the club, never missing training, whatever the weather.

They had both competed in the Tenby Santa Fun runs and last September took part in the Swansea 10k event, but this was a major test for Carol.

Like Damian, they wanted to make the challenge worthwhile and through the medium of Facebook asked friends and family to support them through sponsorship, with funds going to Wales Air Ambulance and Rudy’s Trust Fund.

In glorious sunshine, they completed the race in under three hours, raising £1,000 to be shared by their nominated charities.

A personal achievement for Damian, Wesley and Carol, but as important is the funds raised for charity.