Craggy Island Triathalon

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Categories: News

What an absolutely wonderful event the Craggy Island Triathlon is. Over two days, more than one thousand competitors and spectators descend on the island; an island whose population is usually around 40.

I was delighted when the organisers asked me to blow the hooter to start the event, from a boat in the middle of the Sound of Kerrera as 220 hard as nails/mad as hatters but completely fearless tri-athletes swam from the mainland to the island.
Apparently it is the only triathlon in the world that starts with a swim to an island from the mainland.

oban mountain rescue
Craggy Island Triathlon
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Among the local hopefuls were Oban girls Alison MacVicar and Iona Paterson.
Although the girls did exceptionally well and I caught up with them as they thundered past me on their mountain bikes an hour or so later, there was nothing they could do to stop the eventual winner, Andy King.

Originally from Glasgow, Andy who now lives in Aberdeen completed the gruelling swim, bike ride and run in an incredible 1 hour 32 minutes. And what made it all the more astonishing was the fact that this was Andy’s first ever Triathlon.

Well done to Andy on coming first but huge congratulations to everyone who took part and making the day such a massive success.

Final word of thanks goes to local hero Duncan MacEachen and Durty Events for organising such a fantastic event.

The fun runners and the kids event is on tomorrow. It a great day out, so if you are at a loose end, head along and enjoy a great family day out.

I’ll certainly be back next year… in a non-competitive capacity of course.