ArranMan returns to island

Preparations are continuing for the ArranMan triathlons and marathon which will descend on Lamlash next weekend.

There was criticism of the organisation last year but Arran Community Council heard this week that talks were still ongoing between organiser Alan Anderson, North Ayrshire Council, the police and emergency services. However, a final decision for the event to go ahead is still to be given.

There will be extensive waiting restrictions in Lamlash next Saturday and Sunday for the event, which will be based on Lamlash green. Around 300 are expected to compete, almost double last year’s number of contestants.

Lamlash member Daniel Lamont asked if the shopkeepers and businesses had been consulted in Lamlash as there would be ‘considerable disruption’, while Lochranza representative Hazel Gardiner said there was potential for impact around the island and added that any difficulties should be ironed out beforehand.

‘One of the problems last year was a lack of signs,’ Sgt Allen Dodds told the meeting but said the organiser had hired a traffic management company to put up signs round the island. Competitors will be using the high school car park.

Members heard that considerable homework had been done and anticipated fewer problems than last year.

Chairman Richard McMaster said: ‘I think it is a great thing for the island as it is bringing people who will be spending money whether they are taking part or spectating.’

The event will take part on both Saturday and Sunday and see athletes compete in triathlons and a marathon. Organisers say entries have been flooding in since January and have seen twice the amount of athletes wishing to take part than last year’s 170 contenders. An iron distance race will begin at 6am from Lamlash green on Saturday, with a 3.9km swim in Lamlash Bay, followed by cycling twice anticlockwise round the island and finishing with a 26.2 mile marathon run around Lamlash. The final competitors are expected to finish by 10pm, meaning a 16-hour struggle for some.

A number of competitors from Arran are expected to enter after a handful took part last year, including Mike Mellor, who did the full ironman challenge, Wayne Dale, Paul Hewie and Brian Kelso.

On Sunday, 6am will see around 80 triathletes take to the water, then the same amount again at 7am to begin their half iron distance challenge. The final triathletes are expected to finish by 2pm.

For more information, visit the website at arrantriathlon.wordpress.com.