Greater Glasgow

Nessie surfaces in the Clyde for Mini Monster!

Onlookers on the shores of the Clyde were left open mouthed today as they spotted a sensational appearance from the Loch Ness Monster. Nessie appeared to have taken a wrong turn and miraculously ended up in the Clyde.

The 12ft spoof Monster was in Glasgow today to help promote the return of the charity sporting event, the First Mini Monster Challenge. The family friendly team relay event will see competitors of all ages and fitness run and cycle around Pollok Park on June 14 for 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 transport giant, FirstGroup, the event is aimed at everyone regardless of age and fitness as Steve Montgomery, Acting Managing Director of First ScotRail explained: "The Pollok course is very flat and accessible - an ideal course for everyone to enjoy, young or old, fit or unfit. The First 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 good causes. It will be a great day."

Glasgow will be one of five cities throughout the UK to host a First Mini Monster Challenge. Aberdeen, Leeds, Manchester and Bristol will also stage an event. "Our First Mini Monster event in Glasgow last year was a great success - in fact, so much so, we've added another Scottish venue in Aberdeen this year," added Steve Montgomery. "We aim to encourage our staff, our customers both on our buses and trains and the general public to become more active and take on a First Mini Monster Challenge this summer."

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.

Doug Harrison, Non-Executive Director with bus operator First in Glasgow, said: "Mini Monster is a great way to exercise with family and friends and have fun at the same time, all the while raising much-needed funds for charity. And it doesn't matter if you have never taken part in an event like this before or you are an experienced athlete - it really does offer something for everyone. I hope Nessie's appearance in the Clyde will encourage as many people as possible to look out their running shoes and bikes and take on our Mini Monster at Pollok Park on Sunday 14 June."

Entry to the Glasgow First Mini Monster Challenge is only £5 per person (or £20 per team). FirstGroup will donate 25 percent of the entry fee to First's charity partner, Save the Children and competitors are encouraged to raise money for the charity.

Douglas Hamilton, Head of Scotland 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 Glasgow 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 First Mini Monster and helps raise vital funds for Save the Children."

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.