Mark Edwards was a self-confessed couch potato for the vast majority of his life but now, is someone who at 58 is super-fit and has completed an amazing record of 20 ‘Iron Man’ events, with six of them coming in a hectic period since May.
 
In that time Mark has shown what a good all-round athlete he is by competing in his age-group category at the World Championships, which took place in hot-house conditions in Utah (up to 42 degrees at its hottest), where he was invited on the back of previous performances.
 
“It was an amazing atmosphere where the course took us through urban areas mixed with scenarios that could have come out of a cowboy film with the desert-like conditions and high red rock formations where you could almost imagine John Wayne appearing!
 
The swim took place in a deep canyon lake and was so cold - and since it was a fresh-water lake there was no salt and it wasn’t so easy in terms of buoyancy so that when you started the 112 mile cycle it hit you like a boxing glove - and we had to make sure we were well-hydrated throughout.
 

Lovely reception and real kindness shown

 
“In the marathon component it was a case of 13 miles or so out and the equal distance on the return and the crowds were terrific as they went wild when we came into view. I finished in a time of 13 hours and 35 minutes, which I was pleased with in the draining conditions.
 
“Utah is considered to be a Mormon state and I have to say I have never seen so many helpful people - like one elderly lady who drove past when Angela and I were carrying our box with my bike in it to the cycle start point.
 
“She stopped and asked if we wanted a lift and when we said we were OK she gave us a card with her name and address on in case we needed anything else!”
 

Unforgettable atmosphere in Estonia

 
“In June I was off to Talin, in Estonia, where I was joined in the event by Will Smallman of the ‘Beggar’s Reach Hotel’ and again I was pleased with my time of 12 hours 20 minutes when the cut off time, as usual, was 17 hours.
 
“It certainly wasn’t as hot as the previous event and the lake swimming was comfortable although during the run there were inclines comprising 2,500 feet but nicely spread out over the 26+ miles course.
 
“But the cycling took on a new dimension because in the first hour the rain was the heaviest I have ever known, almost like sometimes being at home, and it was a challenge just to stay on board!
 
“The crowds weren’t as huge as at Tenby but rang their cow bells and created a great atmosphere which I won’t forget.
 

A great time in front of huge crowds

 
Mark’s third ‘Iron Man’ came in July, in Frankfurt, Germany, and although it was only slightly cooler than Utah he managed his second best-ever time of 12 hours and five seconds.
 
“It was the second time I had competed here so I knew what to expect as the swim was in a warmer lake; and although the bike ride had a few more hills the run was a lot flatter and took place in front of some of the biggest crowds I have ever seen.
 
“We were warned about the problems with the hot weather and I made sue that at every water stage a mile apart I not only drank lots but soaked myself from head to foot.
I wouldn’t mind a third visit to Frankfurt!”
 

Fantastic welcome in Ireland

 
Ask Mark about other memorable ‘Iron Man’ events and one of those to top the charts could well be in Cork, where he was hugely impressed by the warmth and sincerity of the welcome.
 
Will Smallman was again competing and on this occasion the swim took place in the sea and there were no heavy winds or strong tides.
 
But the challenge really arose on the cycling component which was two laps of a 56-mile course where Mark and Co encountered the infamous Windmill Hill.
 
“It was OK until were reached almost 55 miles and then110 miles as we turned a corner and there in front of us was this monster of a hill - and the best way I can describe it is to say it is about 1.5 times the steepness of Tower Hill in Haverfordwest!
 
“It is no exaggeration to say that about 70% of those competing walked up the steepest part but I managed to struggle on - and knowing we had to repeat it two miles from the finish of that component was mind-blowing!
 
“Luckily, the run was fairly flat but my legs were pulling more than normal, almost before I started it - and so I was delighted with my time of 12 hours 25 minutes!
 

Another Welsh ‘Iron Man’ and still the best!

 
Although Mark would say that the crowds are brilliant everywhere it goes without saying that his fifth ‘Iron Man’ in Tenby, was still the most enjoyable because it was on home territory in September.
 
“One of the special features of Tenby is the challenging sea swim, which this year was particularly testing because the water was choppy and the swell gave lots of us sea-sickness before getting on the bike with legs that were a bit shaky, to say the least.
 
Then there’s the undulating nature of the cycling course over much of the county and the very challenging hills that have to be negotiated, none worse that the road out of Saundersfoot and up to New Hedges, which would test anybody’s legs - and was even tougher this year because of the heavy rain for part of it. The hill out of Freshwater West was another tester, that’s for sure!
 
“I know I’m biased but the atmosphere from the crowd at all three components is stunning - and running up to the finishing line is something I could never forget, especially with my family and so many others I know taking part or supporting me in my participation - none more so than my old pal Sean Rice, whom I certainly heard in places around the long day.
 
“I completed the course in 12 hours 50 minutes and although I was a little disappointed, if I’m honest, I think I was still feeling tired from my other efforts over the year.”
 
Mark’s final ‘Iron Man’ in this six-month period was after just a two-week gap and took place at Barcelona, which was hot without being over-bearing and was completed in 13 hours and 5 minutes.
 

A tired man in Barcelona to round off 2022

 
“The sea swim was flat calm, unlike Tenby, and the cycling took place over two 56-mile laps with inclines of 3,000 feet, about half of the previous one but without the fantastic support from our county.

“Will Smallman and Graham were friends who also took part and although the third discipline, the marathon run, was also mainly over a flat course it was still tough and it was nice to get it done to complete my target, with my wife Angela there as always giving me total support!”
 
But it is typically Mark Edwards as he told us that he only has FOUR ‘Iron Man’ events planned for next year and reeled off Frankfurt, Ireland, the World Championships in Kona (Hawaii) and, of course, The Welsh event based at Tenby but taking in the whole of the county.
 
After a short break, Mark was soon back in training, which he describes as ‘light’ but includes at present two weekly swims of up to 100 lengths, running about eight miles, three times a week, and 30-mile cycling expeditions with some pals as often as his work permits.
 
“I don’t want to speak too soon but I managed to keep up my record of never having a puncture - and in future I just want to keep enjoying my part in ‘Iron Man’ and although I’ve already competed at venues like those we’ve mentioned today I have also been lucky to visit so many wonderful places and met so many fantastic people
 
“I feel far fitter than I have ever done in my life and will carry on competing - and would recommend sceptics to get off their couches and just enjoy whatever exercise they choose to take!”