Family's iron will as they grieve for son

It was their son Ieuan, who died in a car crash in 2002. And May 20, when the couple and their daughter Cerys, 15, competed in an iron man race and junior iron man event in Lanzarote, was an especially poignant day for the Pontypool family - because on that day, Ieuan would have been 18 years old.

As a tribute to him, and to help in the long healing process after their terrible loss, the Murkins set their sights on an awesome goal. Mr and Mrs Murkin's incredible challenge was a four-and-a-half-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride and a marathon, in the heat of the Canary island of Lanzarote.

Iron man events are popular all over the world - and the race undertaken by the Murkins is said to be the hardest of the lot.

Mr Murkin, 43, of Broadway, Wainfelin, explained: "We went to Lanzarote to mark his birthday and we watched the event last year.

"I was talking to someone about it and they said it takes over your life for 12 months and I thought, 'That's what I want'. I told Anita and she said wanted to do it as well."

The couple trained for a year - twice a day, six days a week, in all weathers.

"There were times when I thought we couldn't do it, and a lot of people said we wouldn't," said Mr Murkin.

"But we felt we had to make it once we decided it was for Ieuan," said Mrs Murkin, 40.

"I had Ieuan in my mind from the off at 7am and I just held on to a mental picture of him throughout the day.

"Once you've got children, you'll do anything for them." Mr Murkin added: "It gives you an edge. When all the others were dropping out and my feet were covered in blisters it just kept me going."

Around 200 people didn't make the finish, but Mr and Mrs Murkin were there by 9.45pm and 10.45pm respectively.

Mr Murkin said: "It has helped with the grieving process without a doubt. "We have got through another year. It has stopped us having so many down days."

Daughter Cerys came second in the junior iron man event.