TWO young men from the Yorkshire Dales have spent six months producing a film that records one of sport's most arduous challenges.

When a promising swimming career was curtailed due to a serious back injury which needed extensive surgery, Leyburn’s George Moffitt decided to take up the triathlon. In his very first competition he was first out of the water and came a credible 681st out of 2,500 other competitors.

As he gained in confidence and competency at the sport he decided to put himself to the ultimate endurance test and become an Ironman.

Consisting of a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile long bicycle ride and a marathon run of 26 miles, the challenge is extremely testing and must be completed in 17 hours.

While on holiday in Australia with his good friend Sam Calvert they hatched that idea that they should produce a film of the journey to becoming an Ironman.

The pair who have been friends since they were at Richmond School together would both play their own part: George would follow a punishing training schedule 20 hours a week swimming, cycling and running; Sam who is a primary school teacher in Darlington would produce the film.

Mr Moffitt said: “My friends thought I was stupid, but I felt really motivated and my training was really hard. I did three of each discipline every week."

Earlier this year his dedication paid off when he completed the Ironman Challenge at Bolton with four hours to spare.

Keeping his side of the bargain, Mr Calvert set up film company, Moor Media.

For the next seven months he accompanied his friend and documented the sporting journey.

Mr Calvert said: “I was like a mosquito, I wouldn't go away and I was there all the time with him.”

Now that the challenge has been completed, the film has been uploaded onto You Tube and has become a hit with several thousand views.

Mr Calvert intends making further films and has several commissions booked.

Mr Moffitt has competed in several further triathlons, including one wearing a superman outfit when he was complemented by Yorkshire Olympian Alistair Brownlee.

The ten-minute film can be viewed at www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJ95ldc6tCk /.