Fresh from winning the iconic Edinburgh New Year’s Day triathlon mostly around Arthur’s Seat for a fourth time, Iain Veitch, 44, is set to fulfil a lifetime ambition this month.
He is off to contesting the famed Saharaman event in Algeria on 29 January.
Iain, from Peebles, will fly out four days in advance to acclimatise for a race which features a 4k swim in an oasis followed by a bike ride of 180k, and concluding with a run through sand dunes of the classic 26.2 marathon distance.
“Saharaman is something I have always wanted to challenge myself to do and but for a torn pec muscle a couple of years ago might have fulfilled this ambition by now.
“Were I to win I think it would be a career highlight.
“The swim might actually be the most challenging part as the oasis will be equivalent temperature to the sea off Musselburgh at this time of year.
“It’s the section which causes most withdrawals, apparently.
“Get through that and I am hoping to benefit from the good preparation that the New Year’s Day triathlon provided.
“I’ve also been preparing with saunas and running with extra layers on to simulate the conditions I can expect in a race where the route doesn’t stray too far from the town central to the event in case competitors get lost in the desert!
“A white costume to wear while racing so as to try to deflect the heat has also been acquired.”
Preparations have had their ups and downs as Iain was laid low for a couple of weeks due to a reaction from the half dozen innoculations he chose to receive to ward off the likes of yellow fever, hepatitis, tuberculosis etc.
After becoming the fastest ever winner of the Celtman endurance race property consultant Iain, in his last competitive outing of 2025, broke a tibia and suffered ruptured ankle ligaments but still managed to win the Roc England event in the Lake District.
Still, the lure of getting fit to compete in a New Year event which starts with a swim in the Royal Commonwealth Pool was irresistible.
“I’d have got my best winning time but for problems adding extra clothing in the freezing temperatures.
“It’s such a great event now in its 30th year and has just produced an outstanding female winner in Nancy Corrie who is aged 15 and whose time of 1:08.45 placed her 11th overall.”
Nancy is a product of Harmeny AC in Edinburgh.
Iain’s time was 1:00:42 with runner-up Scott Meldrum clocking 1:01:36.
