LAUNCESTON duo Matt Luxton and Mark Knight competed in the world's biggest Ironman 70.3 in Alcudia, Mallorca, on Saturday. With over 3,500 competitors from 69 countries, the challenge involve a 1.2 mile swim, followed by a 56 mile cycle and a 13.1 mile run. Matt, a health and fitness coach, and Mark, a factory worker, have been preparing together since November with this race in mind. With temperatures on the beach around the finish area reaching reported highs of 33 degrees, the challenge was made even more gruelling. After the start gun went off at 9.05am local time, Mark completed his swim in 27 minutes, with Matt three minutes behind. The next part saw all the athletes head along the coast, and up into the mountains, where they climbed some 850 vertical meters in 6 miles. For the full report, and a round-up of the area news and sport, see this week's edition of the Post.