Ironman challenge for Ewan
(Story dated: Saturday, May 17, 2003)

A top Orkney triathlete is due to embark on one of the biggest challenges of his sporting career today.

Ewan Taylor, of Hatston Park in Kirkwall, is due to compete in the challenging Lanzarote Ironman competition in the Canary Islands earlier today.

The 48-year-old – a previous winner of the Sportsman of the Year trophy at the annual Orkney Sporting awards – competed with around 800 other triathletes in the event.

The hot and vertical course – classed as one of the toughest Ironman circuits – consists of a 2.4 mile open water swim (160 lengths) in Atlantic Ocean waters of up to 72 degrees, a 112-mile cycle and a 26-mile run.

The demanding bike course, which covers the entire island, takes in some 300 volcanoes along the winding Fire Mountains.

Ewan’s Ironman challenge will end in the spectator-packed town of Puerto del Carmen as he battles exhaustion during the 26.2 mile marathon.

Ewan – who represented Orkney Triathlon Club at the 2001 Ibiza Ironman with his training partner Mark Harrison – explained that his main goal from the challenge is to qualify for the World Ironman Championship in Hawaii in October.

He feels this is well within his capabilities, as he has been responding well to his tough training schedule.

His current weekly training timetable consists of more than 10,000 metres of swimming, 120 miles of cycling and 50 miles of running.