LONG distance triathlon has been the main focus recently for some members of Malvern Triathlon Club.

Paul Cope, Dick Watling, Tom Brazington and Jonathon Butterworth all took on the epic challenge of racing Ironman Wales.

Ironman Wales held at Tenby, Pembrokeshire, is regarded as one of the most challenging bike and run courses on the Ironman calendar.

The long distance triathlon consists of a 2.4-mile sea swim and a 112-mile bike ride before the competitors take on running a marathon.

This was Dick Watlings 11th Ironman and he commented on how difficult this course is in comparison to others he has completed.

For Brazington and Cope this was their first try at this distance.

Paul took the opportunity to raise money for Macmillan cancer support. Visit: justgiving.com/paul-cope2/ to donate to his cause.

All four members finished the race well within the 17- hour cut off time.

First home for the club was Brazington in 12 hours and 50 minutes, followed by Cope in 13:43, Watling 15:05 and Butterworth in 15:47.

Steve Butler was the sole Malvern member at the Sandman triathlon in Anglesey over an extended Olympic distance consisting of a 1km sea swim, a 60km coastal bike leg and finishes with a 10km forest and sand dune run.

Butler enjoyed the event despite the rough weather conditions and finished in a time of 2 hours, 57 minutes.

The same weekend Bill Adsett, Matt Downes, Janet Adsett and Jess Adsett opted for a shorter distance race, The Cheltenham sprint triathlon.

This consisted of a 500m swim in the 50m lido at Cheltenham, a 13km bike ride and finished with a short sharp 2,500m run.

Downes had a great race finishing 15th in 44 minutes and 43 seconds, just less than four minutes off the winner.