A loved up – and very muddy – couple stunned participants by getting married on the finish line at the Loch Ness Beast Race.
Marlene Harper and Les Simpson, from Wick, secretly decided to get hitched, surprising thousands of racers, including 80 of their friends.
The couple are new recruits of the Hamilton Optimum Training (HOT) team, who travel down to Aldourie Castle Estate with a large group every year to take part in the extreme obstacle course.
Les and Marlene recently decided to take up a healthier lifestyle and vowed to celebrate the experience of completing Prime Four Beast Race in just over three hours by becoming man and wife in front of their team-mates.
The bride and groom walked down a 10km aisle with 30 brutal obstacles at one of Scotland’s toughest obstacle course races.
Blooming bride Marlene said: “The Prime Four Beast Race has been a fantastic experience.
“Neither me or Les have ever taken part in anything like this before, but we wanted to do something to show how far we’ve come since joining the HOT team.
“It was amazing to get married in front of all our friends, and it was a great surprise for them.”
Groom Les said: “After all the mud and sweat, came the tears because Marlene was still my beautiful bride. It’s a day we shall never forget.”
Jono Buckland, director at organisers FireTrail Events, said: “It’s not every day that something like this happens at the Prime Four Beast Race, but what a brilliant experience for all involved. A couple that races together stays together.”
Fife Hyland, communications director at Drum Property Group, developers of Prime Four added: “I’ve been at some messy weddings in my time but nothing like this.
“It’s been an honour to be part of their special day and everyone at Prime Four wishes them all the best for the future.”
The 2018 Prime Four Beast Race at Loch Ness saw 1,500 participants tackle the extreme obstacle course, with the fastest male, Gavin Hogarth completing the challenge in 48 minutes, and the fastest female, Coralie Arthur completing the course in just under an hour.
The next Prime Four Beast Race is at Knockburn Loch in Banchory on September 22.
The Prime Four Beast Race’s primary charity beneficiary is Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland.
