An Angus man who swapped the printing press for work in medicine has been inspired to run an extreme triathlon for charity.
Marc Smith, 33, from Carmyllie is taking on the Celtman in Wester Ross on July 6. Beginning at 5am, the trial includes a 3.8-kilometre swim, 202km bike ride and 42km run over two Munros.
Mr Smith works at GlaxoSmithKline in Montrose and worked in gravure printing for DC Thomson for eight years. He has two children, three-year-old Ollie and Louise, 7.
Despite being a fitness fanatic and president of Monifieth TriClub, Mr Smith admits training is very hard.
His weekends are taken up with training, involving 107 miles biking and hill running along dangerous ridges up in the clouds, and is often left barely able to walk at work on Mondays.
Mr Smith has finished one Ironman event in a time of 12.07 at the Outlaw Nottingham last year but said this event is a “completely different kettle of fish”.
“You find out a lot about yourself in this sort of race it’s amazing how close you come to giving up,” he said.
“I don’t mind admitting I was very emotional during the Outlaw as your body just wants to give up.”
He said: “Whilst other people were asking for pain killers, I was asking for hankies to wipe away the tears.”
Mr Smith said he was inspired by the challenge by friend Brenda Ross who has organised a ball fundraising for Children’s Hospice Association Scotland (CHAS) on Friday.
Ms Ross has muscular dystrophy, works full-time at Angus College, and was awarded an MBE in 2007 for her work in further education.
Marc hopes to raise funds for CHAS through www.justgiving.com/Marc-Smith2 and does not have a set target. Mr Smith said he began training eight months ago and a job change meant he no longer worked shifts.
“I thought this would make things easier but trying to learn a new role at work as well as training most nights has not been easy but I have had good support from GSK in that respect,” he said.
“During the week I probably spend about five to six hours training weekends can range from seven to 10 hours of training. I am very fortunate to have my coach who keeps me right Graeme Stewart.
“He makes sure the training I am doing is as time effective as could be, the added bonus is he is doing this event also. I am a level 2 triathlon coach myself so do have a bit of knowledge of what’s coming.
“I have a support runner Jamie Stark who will be doing the run section with me. He will be keeping my spirits up on the run.
“Also the support I have had from my girlfriend Lesley Macdonald has been brilliant.
“She will be in the support car for the cycle leg of the Celtman she has been with me on the highs and lows of training for this event and kept me going when I’ve been low.”
CHAS fundraising manager Stephen Hart said: “Marc is really putting himself through his paces to get ready for this ultimate triathlon challenge.
“We wish him the best of luck and would like to say a huge thank you to him and everyone sponsoring him, for supporting CHAS.”
The charity provides the only hospice services in Scotland for children and young people with life-shortening conditions.
CHAS offers care in two children’s hospices, Rachel House in Kinross and Robin House in Balloch, and supports more than 300 families, as well as a significant number of families who receive bereavement support.
The services are funded mainly through the generosity of the many supporters who help raise the £9 million needed each year to provide these vital hospice services.
For more details call CHAS on 01224 645000.