july date confirmed for hebrides triathlon

Colin S. Macleod, one of the Hebrides Triathlon organisers, confirmed the date for the second annual triathlon will be Saturday, July 29, and will once again will be a standard distance triathlon, made up of a 1.5KM swim, 40KM cycle and 10K run, all against the backdrop of the west coast of Lewis.

“Numbers are capped at 30 and we are already half full already which is really exciting for us,” said Colin.

The idea for the Hebrides Triathlon was hatched by a group of local athletes: Donald Smith, Colin S Macleod, Mark ‘Doug’ Maciver and Christina Mackenzie; all chipping in with various ideas.

In addition to the gruelling challenges of the Traithlon which sees athletes swim in Loch a’Bhaile in Shawbost, cycle from Shawbost to the Callanish Stones and back before a 10K run down the coast, athletes’ transitions between the individual swim, cycle and run sections are also timed.

Last summer it was the Western Isles Island Games triatheltes who shined brightest, as Mark ‘Doug’ Maciver and Christina Mackenzie earned the first ever Hebrides Triathlon prizes.

‘Doug’ crossed the line in 2:26:57 – two and half minutes ahead of second placed Donald Smith (who was part of a team entry with Colin S Macleod.

Macleod was first swimmer onto the shore with a two minute lead over ‘Doug’ who also took longer in transition, but after dominating the bike leg he ultimately opened up a near three minute lead when he dismounted for the 10K run to finish.
There were nine entrants into the first ever Hebrides Triathlon – three team entries and six solo triathletes – who all charged into the balmy Loch a’Bhaile in Shawbost for the first ever event.

Flying the flag for the women was Mackenzie who crossed home in 2:48:05 showing what our Iron Maiden is made of.