The event, which will take place on Saturday, October 14, includes a 3.8 kilometre swim, a 180 kilometre bike ride and a 42 kilometre marathon run.

All done in the blistering heat of the Hawaii summer.

Preparing for the event has been a long, hard road, with four months of an intensive exercise regime leading up to the Port Macquarie’s Ironman Australia qualifier in May. 

“I’ve been training about 30 hours a week, which has been a big time commitment,” Hayden said.

The McDonalds Forster owner said despite a heavy workload, he wouldn’t have it any other way.

“The training, as well as running the business has kept me busy, and my wife and I had a baby girl in May, so that has also added to the workload. It’s been very busy, but very rewarding.”

The Ironman World Championship will take place on the Big Island of Hawaii in Kailua-Kona, starting and finishing along the Kona Coast.

“This is by far the fittest that I’ve ever been,” Hayden said.

“But also the busiest.”

Hayden is not the only Forster local taking part in the event.

Also finalising his preparation is Forster local Bob Martin, who is already in Hawaii acclimatising. More on page 21.