TWO Bracknell teachers have proved they are ironmen. Mark Williams and Andy Dax completed the Ironman Wales challenge, a tough course which involves swimming in the sea for 2.4 miles, cycling across Pembrokeshire for 112 miles and a marathon – all in one day.

Mark competed in an older age category and finished in a time of 12 hours and 33 minutes.

This was particularly impressive, because he had split both heels in a swimming accident the previous week. Mark, 45, finished the challenge with blood oozing from his running shoes.

The father of two, from Wokingham, is deputy head at the Ranelagh School.

He said: “The emotion of finishing my first Ironman was nothing short of extraordinary and the crowds at Tenby were phenomenal.

“It was a gruelling event, the sea was rough, the bike ride was hilly, and the marathon was, well, a marathon.

”The public enthusiasm gave me goosebumps just thinking about it afterwards, and it was that amazing enthusiasm that carried us all around the course.” Andy Dax, 30, from Henley, finished in 11 hours and 56 minutes.

Mark’s wife Jane said: “I am very proud of both of them. It was a stupendous feat.” She added: “When Mark first mentioned he was thinking of doing it I thought he was joking. It is the ultimate challenge.” Both men believe in keeping fit, enjoy sports, and have completed in a triathlon.

Mark likes water polo and Andy, head of IT at the school, is a keen rower.

The men raised around £2,000 for cancer charity, Myeloma UK.

The event was held on Sunday, September 14.

It involved a 2.4 mile swim in Carmarthen Bay, off Tenby’s north beach; a bike ride of 112 miles in south Pembrokeshire and a 26.2 mile marathon around the historic seaside town of Tenby.

They were in the first 400 out of a field of 2,100 men.

Beverley Stevens will take over as head teacher at Ranelagh School, where Mr Williams works, in January.

She replaces Kathy Winrow, who was head for 22 years.