An Aberdeen manager swapped brains for brawn when he took part in the recent Galashiels Triathlon with a little help from his company.
Neil Pirie, a business development manager at Specialist Cars Aberdeen, completed a 400 meter swim, 12 mile cycle ride and a 3.5km run for the event in just 54 minutes.
The 43-year old, who has been working at the Volkswagen retailer for two years, said he couldn’t have done it without the support of his colleagues and company.
“Everyone at Specialist Cars Aberdeen was very supportive to me.
“My bike was actually supplied to me through the cycle to work scheme and since I got it four months ago, I’ve been cycling the 18 miles to and from work at least once a week and, this really helped in my training for the event.”
The cycle to work scheme, within the Government’s green transport plan, enables employees to get a bike tax-free, on average saving approximately half the cost.
The former Royal Air Force officer said he has always been a lover of an active outdoors lifestyle: “Completing a triathlon has always been a personal goal. I’ve been training since January, running and swimming once a week and cycling at least 60km a week.
“I enjoyed it so much I’ve even signed up for the Fox Lake triathlon in June and the Aviemore and Craggy Island triathlons in August.”
Tom Higgins, Specialist Cars general sales manager, said: “We are very happy to have been able to support Neil in his first triathlon. The cycle to work scheme is a great initiative and if it encourages more of our employees to conquer their goals then we’re all for it.
“Everyone at Specialist Cars is so proud of Neil for completing his personal goal.”