Sahara triathlon bid would be “cool”

October 18, 2024 5:16 pm

Who wouldn’t welcome a bit of sand underfoot, sun on the back and a swim in cool water in the middle of a Scottish winter?

Well, triathlon ace Iain Veitch for one, although he acknowledges it would mean travelling to Algeria’s desert terrain in February for a race called the Saharaman.

But Iain believes the event could set the seal on his return from a broken back earlier this year – and indicates he could use the annual Edinburgh New Year race he has won four times previously as a “warm” up.

“Despite the location, the Saharaman’s swim is conducted in an oasis which is normally really cold and these temperatures usually continue for the first half of the bike ride; it is only when the run starts that things heat up.

“So, it would be cool to take part.”

Fresh from successfully defending his ROC Scotland and England titles despite that broken back the 42-year-old still feels the need to make up for lost time after the injury prevented a defence of the Welsh leg of his trilogy.

“The Welsh event (in May) came just too soon and I was told it would only take a fall at that stage to perhaps put me in a wheelchair” said Iain.

The comeback came in an event known as The Celtman where Iain was satisfied with a third place considering his lack of preparation.

From there he was able to embark on the Roc series and compared to last year when bad weather curtailed the running element competitors were expected to scale the full height of Ben Nevis in the Scottish leg.

“I definitely have unfinished business with the Celtman with its monstrous terrain even if there was no Hollywood ending this year, just a reality check given my previous injury.”

However, a win by 20 minutes from his nearest rival in the ROC Scotland has put him back on track and re-energised him.

“I love the Edinburgh New Year triathlon as it is such a great family occasion and might set me up for a go at Saharaman in February.

Meanwhile, Iain, who has acquired sponsorships from 361 running shoes, Orca swimwear and Ciovita cycling and track clothing, has led congratulations for fellow Peebles-based athlete Scout Adkin who has just won the world mountain running championship. “That title is decided over 12 races and Scout won by a point against the best in the world including Kenyans and Ethiopians. Some achievement” he said.