One of the world’s top endurance athletes, Aberdeen ironman triathlete Scott Neyedli, visited FirstGroup headquarters today to help train and encourage four of its employees who are taking part in the company’s sell out duathlon event, the First Monster Challenge.
Emma Wishart, Lana Prati, Kim Hardie and Lindsey Sim are all from Aberdeen and have formed ‘Last is the New First’.
The team will join around 1,000 competitors, including sporting icons Sally Gunnell and Gavin Hastings, running and cycling around the shores of Loch Ness on September 3.
Three of the team (Emma, Lana and Kim) are building up their fitness from scratch and face an uphill battle if they are to complete the gruelling 120km event.
Before jetting off to British Columbia to take part in Ironman Canada, the fastest ever winner of Ironman UK, Scott Neyedli, paid a special visit to FirstGroup’s and put the team through their paces and passed on some specialist training advice.
Scott said: “I’d love to have taken part in the First Monster Challenge – I’ve heard so many good things about it – but unfortunately I will be competing abroad at that time.
“The girls are in very good shape considering they have only just started training. I’ve no doubts they will finish the event and will probably end up with a decent time,” added the 2007 Ironman Champ.
Team member, Emma, said: “Three of our team of four hadn’t run or cycled more than a few hundred yards until a few months ago. Scott has given us a few pointers to help with the training – it was great to meet him and we wished him good luck for the rest of the Ironman season.”
She continued: “Since signing up to take on the Monster, I’ve changed my lifestyle. Instead of eating three packets of crisps a day, I’ve cut down to just one packet. I’ve also swapped my Kurt Geiger shoes for a pair of Reeboks!”
Meanwhile Lana said the team is hoping to raise more than £500 for the Archie Foundation;
“Archie was a unanimous decision – it’s a brilliant charity We will be pestering our friends, family and colleagues in the next few weeks to raise money.”
To support ‘Last is the New First’ visit the website.
All four team-mates are Accounts Receivable Team Members and work for FirstGroup at its headquarters in Aberdeen.
The First Monster Challenge, which has been officially accredited by the British Triathlon Foundation, will take place on September 3 and 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.
Event organiser, FirstGroup, is also catering for the UK’s fittest athletes. The ‘First Iron Monster Challenge’ which sees competitors attempt the entire 120km course (40km running and 80km cycling) solo, is also a sell out.
For more information visit the website.
