McGreal’s extreme award
SELKIRK extreme organiser Paul McGreal has scaled new heights by claiming a British Triathlon Award.
Paul’s Celtman Extreme Scottish Triathlon won the best event of 2012 at the bash, which was held at the National Motorcycle Museum in the West Midlands.
And he has plenty many more challenges in line for 2013 with his Durty Events company, including duathlons at Bowhill and triathlons and an aquathlon at St Mary’s Loch.
Paul said: “The award is just really exciting – it also indicates to us that Durty Events is doing something right, and that if you pitch up at one of our events, you’ll have a good experience.
“We’re aiming for high quality in everything we do, and the award, we think, reflects that.
“We try really hard to strike a balance – we want the events to feel really laid back and friendly, whilst at the same time being meticulously organised.
“It’s that classic paradox – in order to appear relaxed, you actually have to be extremely organised.”
However, it was for the inaugural Celtman that Paul and fellow organiser Stuart McInnes were honoured for at last Saturday’s ceremony.
Staged on June this year and centred around Shieldaig in the stunning Torridon mountains in Wester Ross, the race was certainly not for the under-prepared or faint-hearted.
The triathlon included a 3.8km sea loch swim in Loch Shieldaig, an arduous 202km bike ride on Highland roads with 2,000m of climb, and a 42km run, mostly off-road and over two Munros.
A total of 125 athletes took part in one of the toughest triathlons in Europe, with 40 per cent of competitors travelling to Scotland from outside the UK.
The physicality of the event was highlighted by the winning time being over 12 hours, with the first female home in almost 14 hours.
After collecting his trophy, Paul said: “We were a bit chuffed, as well as pleased, proud, and more than a bit surprised – we thought that Celtman was a bit too ‘niche’ to be recognised in this way.
“There were lots of Borderers who came to help us out on race weekend – much of the credit for the success of the race and the amazing atmosphere appreciated by the competitors is entirely down to them.
“We owe them and our many volunteers and helpers a huge thank you for warmly embracing the event,” he added.
Celtman returns for 2013 on July 6, alongside a packed calendar including a new on-road event at St Mary’s Loch and off-road triathlon in Aviemore.
Subject to landowner agreements they are also hoping to add an event at Whiteadder Reservoir on July 20.
Alongside running his new company, Paul is still competing, having finished ninth in his age group for the European Cross (off-road) Triathlon Championships on the northern coast of the Netherlands in July.
For more information on any of the above events go to www.cxtri.com or www.durtyevents.com
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Weather for Selkirk
Wednesday 22 May 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 3 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 23 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 5 C to 9 C
Wind Speed: 24 mph
Wind direction: North
