For most people, one triathlon would be enough – or even too much.
But Ross Greig, originally from Kintore, Aberdeenshire but now living in Glasgow, is aiming to complete seven triathlons in seven days beginning each day at one of seven different Scottish lochs.
Beginning on Sunday June 17, Mr Greig is raising money for Cancer Research and the Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH).
Mr Greig said: “For years now I have been trying to think of a challenge I can do in order to raise some money towards causes close to my heart. Five years ago I lost my Auntie Rona to cancer and have always wanted to honour her memory with some sort of endurance challenge.
“It couldn’t be easy and it had to be something different, so I decided on a multi-day event. From my love of everything triathlon, my love of outdoor swimming and the abundance of beautiful lochs in Scotland my plan quickly came together.”
Each day Mr Greig will cover at least the minimum standard distance of each of the three aspects of a triathlon. A mile swim will be followed by a minimum 25mile bike ride before finishing the day with at least a 6mile run on seven consecutive days.
The challenge begins in the Borders with St Mary’s Loch the first Mr Greig will take a dip in before venturing north to Fife. Navigating through the north-east of Scotland and along to Inverness, Mr Greig will then take his route south, beginning his final day on the shores of Loch Lomond and concluding by running into Glasgow.
Mr Greig added: “The charities I have decided to raise money for are Cancer Research and also SAMH – for Scotland’s Mental Health. Cancer research is an obvious charity to me and I think we all have someone very close to us who has been affected in some way by cancer.
“The reason behind SAMH is having suffered from anxiety during my life, along with family and friends, I realise the stigma attached to mental health and wanted to raise further awareness. Also I strongly believe that exercise is by far the best medicine for dealing with mental health.
“Whether it’s a parkrun with my wife, or a walk to the park with my daughter, being out and about and exercising is key to making me feel happy.”
Mr Greig’s support team will be made up of both his parents, who will take on the roles of chef, kitchen porter and laundry cleaner for the challenges duration. Mr Grieg’s wife Fiona and daughter Gracie are expected to join at various stages to deliver the encouragement and support as he strives to complete the challenge.
Mr Greig has encouraged people to get in touch if they wish to join in at either stage of the challenge. He is expected to pass Aberdeenshire on the third day, Tuesday 19 June, beginning at Knockburn Loch. Day four is set to begin at Loch Ness before cycling onwards to Fort Augustus and running along part of the Great Glen Way.
Anybody wishing to participate alongside Mr Greig can go to www.facebook.com/7inSeven/.
