A determined dentist who already has a string of Ironman medals to his name will take on his hardest challenge yet when he launches himself from the start line of the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii next week.

Ironman events are widely considered one of the most difficult one-day sporting events in the world, and Mark Walsh, from Curzon Park , caught the bug for taking part in them in 2012.

The dad-of-two has since completed 17 of the endurance challenges, and on Saturday, October 8 he will battle it out against thousands of other participants in soaring temperatures, having gained a highly coveted Legacy Place in the championship.

Mark, pictured at Ironman Vichy, has already completed 17 of the long-distance triathlon races
Mark, pictured at Ironman Vichy, has already completed 17 of the long-distance triathlon races

Legacy Places are for amateur triathletes who have at least 12 full distance Ironman events under their belts, which consist of a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride and a 26.2 mile run to be completed within 17 hours – and 50-year-old Mark is one of only seven British athletes who have one of these spots.

Mark admitted he was ‘a little bit obsessed’ with Ironman races, and he has been striving to compete in the World Championship for the past few years.

“I’m very much looking forward to it,” he said.

“I am not trying to win it, I just want to finish it.

“Ironman events can be a bit daunting at first but it can also be very enjoyable.

“You get such a sense of achievement from finishing.

“I would encourage anyone to try it.”