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Nell McAndrew and Gavin Hastings arrive in Inverness to take on the monster
Friday 11 September 2009
Nell McAndrew, arguably the UK’s fittest celebrity, and Scottish rugby legend, Gavin Hastings, arrived in Inverness today (11 September) to compete in tomorrow’s (September 12) First Monster Challenge, a 120km team relay duathlon around the shores of Loch Ness.
The pair will be competing in the same team, Beauty and the Beasts, as they look to perform well against a 1,100 sell out field. They were optimistic of their chances despite having lost a key team member, Liz McColgan. The Scottish athletics legend was forced to pull out of the event due to a recent hamstring injury.
Nell McAndrew said: “I’ve always been quite proud of my performances up here in Inverness. However, this year I am genuinely excited about our prospects, despite Liz McColgan being forced to withdraw from our team. Not only do we have Gavin Hastings, who is fantastic on the bike, but I have a couple of local athletes who know the course well and are capable of some great times. In fact we have poached the team captain from the 2007 and 2008 Monster winners, Graham Whyte! We are aiming for a top ten finish.”
She added: “The First Monster Challenge has become one of my highlights of the year. I enjoy the event, and I love visiting this part of the world – the people are very friendly and the scenery is simply stunning.”
All 1100 competitors will take on one running leg and one cycling leg of the eight legged event. Gavin Hastings said he was looking forward to his cycle in particular. “Losing Liz was a bit of a blow and we have had to rethink our tactics a little. However, I am still scheduled to take on the longest cycle. It’s a steep 10km climb out of Fort Augustus, but the sound of a lone piper at the top will hopefully spur me onwards over the last next 12 grueling kilometres.”
He continued: “I am pleased the event has sold out. For an event of this nature to attract over a thousand entrants is a fantastic achievement. I am looking forward to enjoying some of the banter with the other teams.”
Sir Moir Lockhead, Chief Executive of event organisers FirstGroup, commented: “We have been overwhelmed with the interest in the First Monster Challenge 2009. Such was the demand for places that we increased the capacity of the event. We have teams from as far afield as Wales, Bristol, Ireland and even Barcelona competing. I hope everyone enjoys the event, gets round safely and raises lots of money for our charity partner, Save the Children.”
Chief Executive of Save the Children, Jasmine Whitbread, also arrived in Inverness today to help support the event. She said: “The First Monster is a terrific event and has raised thousands of pounds since it launched in 2007. The event seems to be going from strength to strength and we are confident that last year’s total will be bettered.
“We have a wonderful relationship with First Group and since our partnership began we have been struck by the enthusiasm of employees and senior management to help Save the Children. All the money raised from the duathlon will be spent on our work across the UK with some of the most vulnerable children to ensure they get the best start in life. I hope everyone thoroughly enjoys the Monster and helps to raise those vital funds.”
This evening (Friday 11 Sep) competitors will attend a safety briefing and pasta party at the event’s start and finish point, Queens Park Stadium, Inverness, before rising for a 7am start tomorrow.
The First Monster Challenge, which has been officially accredited by the British Triathlon Foundation, consists of teams of four. Each competitor is required to complete two legs of the eight-legged event – one 10km run and one 20km cycle. First has also introduced a gruelling element to the 2009 event. Around 30 elite athletes will take on the ‘First Iron Monster Challenge’ – competitors will complete the entire 120km course (40km running and 80km cycling) solo. That is the equivalent of running one marathon and cycling two!
For more information about the First Monster Challenge or the First Iron Monster Challenge, log on to www.firstmonster.com