Aberdeen

A-MAZE-ING APPEARANCE FROM NESSIE!

Loch Ness Monster Arrives in City to Promote Launch of First Mini Monster Challenge

Visitors to Hazlehead Park were left open mouthed today as they spotted the Loch Ness Monster lurking in the parks maze. It was not just members of the public that were lost in the maze " the Monster seemed to have taken a dramatic wrong turn from its Loch Ness home!

The 12ft spoof Monster was in the city today to help launch a brand new charity sporting event for Aberdeen, the First Mini Monster Challenge. The duathlon relay event will see competitors of all ages and fitness run and cycle around Hazlehead Park on June 7 in aid of charity.

The First Mini Monster Challenge comprises two relay races, one for families and one for adults. The family race will see teams of four complete two running sections, each 1.5km long, and two 5km cycling sections. In the adult event teams of four will also take on two runs and two cycles " the run will be 3km and the cycle 10km. In both races, each team member will complete one leg only.

Hosted and organised by Aberdeen based transport giant, FirstGroup, the event is aimed at everyone regardless of age and fitness as George Mair, Managing Director of First in Aberdeen explained: "The Hazlehead course is very flat and accessible " an ideal course for everyone to enjoy, young or old, fit or unfit. The Mini Monster will not only be an enjoyable day out for the family and a great excuse to start training and keep active and healthy, but also a fantastic opportunity to raise money for a great cause. My team is already in place and we are thoroughly looking forward to the event. If I can do it, anyone can!'

Aberdeen will be one of five cities throughout the UK to host a First Mini Monster Challenge. "Aberdeen has a strong tradition of supporting and participating in sporting events,' added George Mair. "I have no doubt that the north east will turn out in large numbers. If we secure enough support the Aberdeen First Mini Monster Challenge will become an annual event.'

One of the worlds top endurance athletes, Aberdeen ironman triathlete Scott Neyedli, was at todays launch. The 2007 Ironman UK Champion & Dresdner Kleinwort Pro Team racer announced that he would be participating solo in the First Mini Monster Challenge as part of his training programme for the Ironman World Championships.

He said: "I am thoroughly looking forward to the event. Although I am used to running and cycling much longer distances, this duathlon will help me sharpen up ahead of the World Championships.'

He continued: "I want to encourage more people to adopt a healthier and more active lifestyle. Running and cycling is a fantastic and enjoyable way of keeping fit. I hope the First Mini Monster inspires the City and the Shire to forget the fast-food, abandon the armchairs, ditch the DVDs, pack in the PCs and instead take on a Mini Monster!'

Entry to the Aberdeen First Mini Monster Challenge is only £5 per person (or £20 per team). FirstGroup will donate 25 percent of the entry fee to Save the Children. To register a team or for more information log on to www.firstmonster.com

All competitors are encouraged to raise money for Firsts charity partner, Save the Children. Caroline Underwood, Director of Philanthropy and Partnerships at Save the Children said: "We have a wonderful relationship with First and its highly successful Monster events. Indeed Monster competitors raised more than £110,000 for Save the Children in 2008. Both the First Mini Monsters and the original First Monster Challenge in Inverness seem to be going from strength to strength " we are very optimistic that last years total will be bettered.

"All the money raised for Save the Children from the Aberdeen event 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 enjoys the Hazlehead First Mini Monster and helps raise vital funds for Save the Children.'

The First Mini Monster Challenges are inspired and based upon the First Monster Challenge, FirstGroups annual 120km team relay duathlon around the shores of Loch Ness.

The winning team of either the family or the adult Mini Monster event will be offered free entry to the First Monster Challenge in Inverness on September 12. For more information or to register a team for the First Monster Challenge visit, www.firstmonster.com

Scott Neyedli
Scott has been an amateur triathlete since participating in the sport for fun in 2004 (aged 26) and since 2007 as an Elite Professional. He specializes in Ironman events which consist of a 2.4 mile open water swim, 112 mile bike and a 26.2 mile marathon run.
As a professional Ironman Triathlete he has achieved:
2008 Ironman UK Triathlon runner-up
2007 Ironman UK Triathlon Champion, 1st Briton to win the event in a new run course & overall course record time
Voted 2008 Top Men's Individual Performance of the Year by UK's 220 Triathlon Magazine
Voted Top Male Elite Long Distance Triathlete of Year 2007 at British Triathlon Annual Awards
Top Briton at Ironman World Championships 2007
Open Senior Scottish Olympic Distance Champion
Persona Oliver ½ Iron Champion 2007
Voted Runner up at the City of Aberdeen sports person of the year 2007
Born and raised in Aberdeen, Scotland he holds dual nationality with Great Britain & Canada and is currently a member of both the Scotland & Great Britain performance squads.