Aberdeen

First Mini Monster Under Starters Orders

Aberdeen will play host for the very first time to the First Mini Monster. The family fun bike and run charity event is set to take place at Hazlehead this Sunday.

Organisers FirstGroup predict around 250 people to be at the starting line on Sunday morning and with places still available for teams of four, anyone interested in taking on a Mini Monster can sign up on the day at Hazlehead.

Sir Moir Lockhead, Chief Executive of Aberdeen based transport giant FirstGroup, said he was delighted with the level of interest in the event. "Considering this is the first time our running and cycling event has been brought to Aberdeen, we are delighted with the numbers. Providing that the interest and feedback is encouraging we hope to make it an annual fixture in the calendar and therefore grow the Mini Monster into one of the citys most supported events.'

Sir Moir will start both the adult and family races at 10.30am on Sunday. He added: "My children and grand children will be at Hazlehead taking part and raising money for Save the Children. It promises to be a great day out " ideal for all the family.'

Amongst the competitors taking their place on the start line will be John Ralph (56) an admin assistant at First in Aberdeen. He aims to take on the First Mini Monster Challenge kitted out with lost property items from Firsts Aberdeen bus operations. In the adult race, John will complete his 3km run dressed as celebrity chef Marco Pierre White, after a chefs outfit was left behind on one of Firsts buses recently. John has also decided to run an extra leg dressed as a woman, wearing a combination of items left on buses.

One of the worlds top endurance athletes, Aberdeen ironman triathlete Scott Neyedli, will also be taking part in the First Mini Monster Challenge. The 2007 Ironman UK Champion will be participating solo in the adult event as part of his training programme for the Ironman World Championships. Neyedli is favourite to win the adult race outright.

Hosted and organised by FirstGroup, the First Mini Monster is aimed at everyone regardless of age and fitness. The event 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.

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. Anyone interested can also sign up on the day at Hazlehead.

Aberdeen is one of five cities throughout the UK to host a First Mini Monster Challenge. Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester and Bristol will also stage an event.

In 2008 the First Monster Challenge in Inverness and the First Mini Monster events raised over £150,000 for charity.

2009 First Monster Events