Two Hampshire triathletes are just a week away from representing the region in the sport’s most prestigious event, the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii.

Rob Arkell won his place for the qualification only event at Ironman Texas in May and has crammed in the half Ironman World Championships in his preparation.

Kelly Stokes secured her place just six weeks ago at Ironman Copenhagen.

Both are set to do battle with the best competitors and the hardest course in the sport, with soaring temperatures, humidity and strong winds making it the ultimate test over the 2.4m swim, 112m bike and 26.2m run distance.

The Daily Echo’s chief sports writer, Adam Leitch, caught up with the duo to ask how they are feeling on the weekend they both head out for the race, which takes place on Saturday, October 10.

How are you feeling about racing the Ironman World Championships in Kona now it is so close?

Rob: I am flying out on Saturday a week before race day and cannot wait to get to Kona now. It's been four years and four Ironman races to qualify, so it’s the realisation of a dream getting to the World Championship.

Kelly: I still don't think it's sunk in that I'm going, I think mainly because I have had so much to sort between the two races.

I haven't really had a chance to worry about the race itself.

I will probably get super nervous once I get out there and see all those amazing athletes but I'm trying to tell myself to just enjoy the whole experience even if I don't feel like I belong!

How has the preparation and build-up gone?

Rob: I’ve put in a lot of work and am feeling strong. I also trained through the Ironman 70.3 World Championship in Zell am See as part of the build for Kona.

My swim times have improved and I'm swimming better than ever. This is partly because my fellow club mate, Kelly Stokes, qualified to race as well so I've been pushing myself to keep up in the pool!

In all my key bike sessions my power numbers are highest I've seen and my running has been very strong in training so I'm feeling confident.

Kelly: I have been overwhelmed by how supportive everyone has been - the only thing is there isn't a protocol for how to do two Ironman races only six weeks apart so I have been trying to listen to as much advice as possible and also listen to what my body feels like it can do - recovery and training at the same time is a dark art.

I'm also really lucky that Portsmouth University have let me do some training in their heat chamber to help acclimatise to the heat and humidity we can expect in Hawaii - it's been a great experience even if it's confirmed I definitely prefer racing in the cold!

What are your aims – to compete for a podium, just survive, or something else?

Rob: This race has been my focus all year so I want to be as competitive as possible. I qualified from Ironman Texas so I know I can handle the heat and humidity OK which should fare well for Hawaii.

I have also done all my key bike sessions indoors with no fan to get the sweat rate up.

I'll be giving it everything and leaving nothing in the tank that's for sure. If I can go sub 9:30, get a PB for the distance and maybe break into the top 20 in the world in my division I think I'd be happy. We'll see how it goes on the day and I'll find out what I'm capable of.

Kelly: Well I'm slightly terrified of how I will react to the heat on the marathon so finishing in itself will be an achievement and ideally not coming last!

Everybody in my category will have had to go through the same rigorous qualification so I know they will all be incredible athletes and racing against them will be so tough. I want to enjoy it as much as I can so I'm hoping if I aim to smile the whole way round that will help.

It’s a huge achievement just to get there bearing in mind it’s less than 2,000 athletes from 205,000 that competed in Ironman races in the qualification period have made it to Hawaii. Do you have anything else you want to say before you head off?

Rob: It's a special event and I'm very proud to be heading to Kona. Some of my family are flying out three days before me and my girlfriend and will be there to support on race day.

The atmosphere should be incredible and everyone talks about the buzz during race week and the build up to the race.

All the best professionals and age groupers from around the world will be gathering to race what is widely considered to be the world’s best triathlon, the pinnacle of the sport and the world’s toughest one day endurance event.

Kelly: Just a big thanks to my friends and family and everyone who has given me help and advice. Also the guys at Portsmouth Uni for letting me in the heat chamber and Newton running ensuring I don't run in trainers with holes in!