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Written by Iain Macintosh

Saturday, 26 December 2009 10:34

Raising Money for Save the Children - Send Donations

Aberdeen Mini Monster 7 June 10am-11.30am Hazlehead Park

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P&J - Loch Ness monster helps launch sporting challenge

A-MAZE-ING APPEARANCE FROM NESSIE!

Loch Ness Monster Arrives in City to Promote Launch of First Mini Monster Duathlon

Visitors to Hazlehead Park were left open mouthed today as they spotted the Loch Ness Monster lurking in the park’s maze. It was not just members of the public that were lost in the maze – the Monster seemed to have taken a dramatic wrong turn from its Loch Ness home!

The 10ft spoof Monster was in the city today to help launch a brand new charity sporting event for Aberdeen, the First Mini Monster Challenge. The duathlon relay event will see competitors of all ages and fitness run and cycle around Hazlehead Park on June 7 in aid of charity.

The First Mini Monster Challenge comprises two relay races, one for families and one for adults. The family race will see teams of four complete two running sections, each 1.5km long, and two 5km cycling sections. In the adult event teams of four will also take on two runs and two cycles – the run will be 3km and the cycle 10km. In both races, each team member will complete one leg only.

Hosted and organised by Aberdeen based transport giant, FirstGroup, the event is aimed at everyone regardless of age and fitness as George Mair, Managing Director of First in Aberdeen explained: “The Hazlehead course is very flat and accessible – an ideal course for everyone to enjoy, young or old, fit or unfit. The Mini Monster will not only be an enjoyable day out for the family and a great excuse to start training and keep active and healthy, but also a fantastic opportunity to raise money for a great cause. My team is already in place and we are thoroughly looking forward to the event. If I can do it, anyone can!”

Aberdeen will be one of five cities throughout the UK to host a First Mini Monster Challenge. Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester and Bristol will also stage an event. “Aberdeen has a strong tradition of supporting and participating in sporting events,” added George Mair. “I have no doubt that the north east will turn out in large numbers. If we secure enough support the Aberdeen First Mini Monster Challenge will become an annual event.”

One of the world’s top endurance athletes, Aberdeen ironman triathlete Scott Neyedli, was at today’s launch. The runner up in the UK Ironman Triathlon announced that he would be participating solo in the First Mini Monster Challenge as part of his training programme for the Ironman World Championships.

He said: “I am thoroughly looking forward to the event. Although I am used to running and cycling much longer distances, this duathlon will help me sharpen up ahead of the World Championships.”

He continued: “I want to encourage more people to adopt a healthier and more active lifestyle. Running and cycling is a fantastic and enjoyable way of keeping fit. I hope the First Mini Monster inspires the City and the Shire to forget the fast-food, abandon the armchairs, ditch the DVDs, pack in the PCs and instead take on a Mini Monster!”

Entry to the Aberdeen First Mini Monster Challenge is only £5 per person (or £20 per team). FirstGroup will donate 25 percent of the entry fee to Save the Children. To register a team or for more information log on to www.firstmonster.com

All competitors are encouraged to raise money for First’s charity partner, Save the Children. Caroline Underwood, Director of Philanthropy and Partnerships at Save the Children said: “We have a wonderful relationship with First and its highly successful Monster events. Indeed Monster competitors raised £100,000 for Save the Children in 2008. Both the First Mini Monsters and the original First Monster Challenge in Inverness seem to be going from strength to strength – we are very optimistic that last year’s total will be bettered.

“All the money raised for Save the Children from the Aberdeen event will be spent on our work across the UK with some of the most vulnerable children to ensure they get the best start in life. I hope everyone enjoys the Hazlehead First Mini Monster and helps raise vital funds for Save the Children.”

The First Mini Monster Challenges are inspired and based upon the First Monster Challenge, FirstGroup’s annual 120km team relay duathlon around the shores of Loch Ness.

The winning team of either the family or the adult Mini Monster event will be offered free entry to the First Monster Challenge in Inverness on September 12. For more information or to register a team for the First Monster Challenge visit, www.firstmonster.com

Last Updated ( Monday, 15 February 2010 10:02 )

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