Iain Veitch has now won the ROC Wales endurance triathlon four times but this year’s triumph will always be special.
Explains the Peebles athlete, 44: “My son, Reuben, travelled to Snowdonia with me and on the eve of the main event won the kids race along the local beach.
“Not only that but when I crossed the finishing line Reuben was able to run alongside me and also present my medal which made for a real family occasion.”
The line of succession seems clear but Iain, winner of the internationally renowned SaharaMan title at the beginning of this year still has fresh fields to conquer.
Prime among these is the Celtman in the north of Scotland on 13 June, an event in which he has competed twice previously finishing runner-up in 2025 with a dubious distinction.
“Last year I was the fastest non-winner ever and I didn’t know quite what to feel about that!
“Seriously, I ran a pretty good race but didn’t execute well enough.
“The previous attempt in 2024 came a few weeks after I’d broken vertebrae in my back.
“This could be my last attempt to get CeltMan on my CV as there is a limit to how much I can expect from a support crew necessary to compete at this level. “
Beyond Celtman Iain outlined the tantalising prospect of racing in the shadow of Mount Everest.
“I see there is a Himalayan triathlon which I’d like to have a crack at albeit it will present fresh challenges like the rarified atmosphere.
“Another SaharaMan is also a possibility.”
First up is CeltMan and Iain would like nothing more than a rumour circulating among the triathlon fraternity that the great Alastair Brownlee, twice an Olympic champion, could test himself in the more rough and ready version of the sport across more rugged terrain.
“So far it is only a rumour and I seriously doubt if Alistair will be on the entry list which organisers always keeping tight lipped about.
“But such is his elite status I would love just to be in the same field as him for an event.
“What Alistair and his brother Jonny have done for the sport just can’t be over-estimated including in terms of attracting new athletes.”
But back to where we started at ROC Wales where Iain’s winning margin was around 11 minutes although there was no chance of bettering the course record he already holds.
“The swim was reduced in length due to choppy conditions but that actually helped me as I normally start a bit slower than some and reel them in on the running section which precedes the cycling.”
