Two Hampshire triathletes are returning home triumphant after competing in the Ironman World Championship in Hawaii.

Rob Arkell and Kelly Stokes both made it round the 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike and 26.2 mile run of sport's toughest one-day challenge in record temperatures of 49c.

The Ironman World Championship is triathlon's blue ribband event with Arkell and Stokes among just 2,000 qualifiers from more than 200,000 that raced eligible events over the past year.

Arkell, who works in Park Gate and qualified in Texas in May, blasted a 3.24 marathon to finish in 9.48 and storm up to 45th place in the male 30-34 age group and 211th overall.

Stokes, an air traffic controller at Hampshire based NATS, managed to complete the course in 12.11 despite having qualified by racing the massive distance at Ironman Copenhagen just six weeks previously.

A delighted Arkell, who made it to Kona a year after suffering serious injuries after getting hit by a car while out on his bike, said: "Racing the Ironman World Championship was an incredible experience.

"The swim was a fight from the get go. Just like the washing machine they describe as there are lots of people of similar ability.

"The bike was a fairly conservative effort and rode within myself as I wanted to run well.

"I got off the bike feeling strong but the record high temperatures made it very tough.

"There were lots of people reduced to walking so I was pleased with my marathon and I made up a lot of places on the run.

"Crossing the finishing line was a very emotional moment. Years of hard work came together to realise a life dream.

"It was about seeing it through to prove if you want anything bad enough and if you believe in yourself you can do it no matter what.

"It certainly wasn't all plain sailing! A key life lesson I've learnt is it doesn't matter how many times you fall. All that matters is how many times you get back up."

For Stokes the event was a culmination of years of hard work to recover from nine knee operations, including one at start of the year.

"The day was horrendous and amazing all at once," smiled the 33-year-old.

"Amazing to be part of, to see the pros alongside you and to feel you are competing alongside the best in the world.

"Yet horrendous as I felt unable to control my body as it got all consumed by the heat.

"All I could do was get to each aid station every mile and turn myself into a human slush puppy to try and cool down.

"Any time based aspirations disappeared and finishing was my only aim. And while on paper I could be disappointed with my times, I know how dark the dark was out there and have no regrets. I dug deep and got to the end and somehow smiled the whole way around.

"If I never make it back to the Big Island again I will always be able to look at that finisher's medal with great pride."