THE inaugural Loch Long Adventure Challenge has been hailed as a "huge success" after more than 100 competitors completed the arduous course.
Weather conditions were perfect for the Arrochar triathlon on May 7 contributing to some remarkable finishing times being achieved over the 3.5km kayak, 25km cycle, and 5km run.
Safety briefing
Participants from North Uist to London gathered for the event, with Gordon Turk finishing as the fastest individual male competitor with a time of two hours and 20 minutes. The fastest individual female competitor, Suzanne Rae, finished in two hours and 26 minutes.
The challenge was primarily a team event, however, and Gordon Turk and Gordon King of ‘Team Gordon’ won both the fastest male team and the fastest local team prizes.
Winning male Gordon Turk
Gordon King from the first male team collects his prizes
The fastest mixed team prize was won by Colin and Suzanne Rae, team name ‘The Raes’, from Bearsden and their cumulative time total was only one minute behind that of the fastest male team.
The fastest female team was called the ‘Tri Hards’ - Eilidh McGowan and Emma Rogerson, both from Glasgow.
First wave
The first female team
A spokesperson for the organisers, the Loch Long Jetty Association, said: "All agreed that the scenery was stunning and the bike portion in particular was very challenging.
"The community spirit and the friendliness of all the volunteer organisers and marshals were commented upon repeatedly by the competitors.
Out of the water
The first mixed team
"The coffee and home-made cakes at the end were very much appreciated and enjoyed.
"We thank the large mass of individual volunteers who gave up their time to make this event possible and Dr Arden of Arrochar Surgery, the Queen’s Harbourmaster’s Officers, the Arrochar Mountain Rescue Team and the Police Scotland Youth Volunteers of Dumbarton.
In transition
"We are very grateful to Vivienne MacTavish from Glen Loin Caravan Park for allowing our competitors to use the shower facilities and for overflow parking as the car parks were overwhelmed.
"Specials thanks go again to the Ardgartan Hotel for allowing us to use their gardens for the transition zone and Loch Long Hotel for being our race headquarters.
Out of transition
On the road
"We also thank our funders for their vision in supporting this event. We appreciate the technical support given to us by Loch Lomond Leisure, First Aid Scotland, Ministry of Defence Police Clyde Marine Unit and Triathlon Scotland.
"Overall it was brilliant to witness the spectacle of a local mass sporting event after the restrictions of the Covid period."
The winning lady
Photographs kindly supplied by Su Floyd, Elaine Humphreys and Ross Cadie. Full race results and more photos are available at www.lochlongevents.com.
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