CEO Update | August 2025

It’s been another busy month of racing, training and the team crisscrossing the country. It is great to see that race participation is on the up with an increase of 13% more people toeing the start line between January and July 2025 compared to last year, even though we’ve had two fewer races on the calendar. More people on start lines equates to more buzz, more competition, and a community that’s properly thriving.

Whenever I tell friends I work in sport, they assume I’m permanently racing, training and living the athlete life. I wish! The truth is, when the season hits, it’s the opposite, our calendars are packed with event travel, logistics, and supporting clubs. Don’t get me wrong, I love it, but the road miles do add up and the environmental impact of the travel is always on my mind. That’s why we make a real effort to car share, use the van, and plan our journeys smartly. We all feel that responsibility to cut down our footprint, especially when warmer summers (amazing for racing) bring challenges like blue-green algae. We’ve seen this first-hand at Airthrey Loch at the University of Stirling where it’s in full bloom. It’s a constant reminder why protecting our environment matters on and off the course.

This weekend, though, I finally get to swap “organising” for “racing” at the East Lothian Sprint Duathlon. I’m already feeling that familiar mixture of nerves and excitement. If you’re racing too, come and say hi afterwards – I’ll be around after the race. A recent training trail run ended with me tripping and smashing my watch! So, I’ve been on Rewardzone, the membership platform with over 100 commercial discounts, to get up to 40% off a new Garmin as a Triathlon Scotland member. Maybe this is our best kept member benefit secret?

On the Championship front, a huge thank you to Lomond Swimming and Triathlon Club, and Richard Pearson and the Still Going Strong team for delivering two brilliant National Championship events, the Aquathlon and the Middle Distance. Our headline sponsors, Freedom Boat Club Loch Lomond and MM Search play an important part in supporting our delivery and work across the sport. It’s great to have them with us on our journey.

Meanwhile, our performance athletes have been racing in Europe. From Isla Hedley’s medal at European XTERRA, to Millie Breeze and Alex Robin racing in Spain, and a powerhouse squad comprising of Millie Breese, Tom Tyler, Cameron Kerr, Jess Heeps, Israel Noble, Oscar Chirnside and Jack Kennedy at the British Super Series Eliminator. If you haven’t yet, check out the National Triathlon Centre Instagram for athlete updates – I can recommend the Q&A with coaches Marc Austin and Ailsa MacArthur.

I want to wish Cam Main all the best for his race at the 70.3 Zell am See-Kaprun Pro Series race this Sunday. You can watch the race live on Ironman’s YouTube channel.

My personal highlight? The finish funnel at the Bikeless Beastie, Scottish National Aquathlon Championships. I loved the sense of community, the noise and the amazing atmosphere this created. Thank you.

Wherever you’re racing or training this month, bring your best self to the start line. I’ll be trying to do the same this weekend.

Steve