Rob Arkell is hoping to take the Ironman 70.3 World Championships by storm just three months after becoming a father to triplets.

The Fareham triathlete is one of several local competitors heading out to Chattanooga in the USA for the blue riband event, which takes place next weekend.

But few who will toe the start line can have experienced the kind of whirlwind build-up he has for the race, which features the best athletes in the world racing over distances of a 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike and half marathon run.

He said: “I qualified for Chattanooga over a year ago in Budapest and I had no idea I would be a father to triplets come race day.

“Since I qualified my wife Kitty and I have got married, gone on honeymoon and had the news in January we were having triplets.

“The first thing that goes through your head are the practicalities – changing car, sorting the house out, child care, work and so on. I then had to think about training as well.

“Family is my priority but I have been very lucky that my wife, Kitty, is so organised and has absolutely smashed parenthood. Our families have also been very supportive to allow me the time to keep training.

"Also I work at Koozai, a digital marketing company headquartered in Park Gate, and they have allowed me to work remotely over paternity as well which has meant I could continue to work as well as being available for the family. I have then tried to get the training in around all of that in the mornings and evenings, as well as at the weekends.

“I have been very lucky with the support I have had but I also think it proves that if you want to do something you can, and the excuse of not having time doesn’t ring true if you want to do something enough, especially when you have great support like I do.”

Arkell is competing against the best in the world in the qualification only event, and in the red hot fast 30-34 age category.

He knows he will have to be at his best to succeed, but feels things are coming together nicely for him.

“My swimming is better than it’s ever been,” he said.

“My cycling basically got knocked on the head when I trained for the London Marathon in April, but after hitting my target there of a 2.37 I have been really concentrating on getting my bike fitness back.

“I have put in a lot of intensity in training with very focused indoor workouts, improved my aerodynamics, increased power and lost some weight, so I think my cycling is as good as it's been, and I am confident with my running.

“My ultimate goal is to try and get an age group podium, which is top five in a World Championship event. You don’t ever know what will happen on the day, but I think if everything goes right I have a chance.”