Iain Veitch’s Gruelling Battle for Glory at the Celtman Triathlon
I want to take a moment to talk about an incredible performance that deserves recognition—Peebles triathlete Iain Veitch’s inspiring effort at the Celtman Xtreme Triathlon. If you haven’t heard of this event, let me paint you a picture. It's not your typical race. It’s one of the most brutal endurance tests in Scotland, set against the dramatic and unforgiving backdrop of the ancient Torridon mountains. And Iain? He didn’t just show up—he fought his way to a stunning second place.
The Celtman is a monstrous race: a 3.5-kilometre swim through the icy waters of Loch Shieldaig—jellyfish and all—followed by a 200-kilometre bike ride through the Highlands. Then, to top it off, a 42-kilometre mountain run over two munros. It’s the kind of challenge that breaks even the toughest athletes. But Veitch embraced it head-on.
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Coming out of the water around ninth place, Veitch was already battling not just competitors but the cold and marine life. But it was on the bike where he began clawing back. That bike leg is no joke—it’s longer than a standard Ironman, the roads are rough, and the wind is relentless. Yet, Iain dug deep. By the time he hit the transition zone, he was only eight minutes behind the leader. And then, incredibly, he surged ahead. With 40k to go, he was in the lead, holding a three-minute advantage heading into the run.
But the Celtman doesn’t give out victories easily. As Veitch pushed up Beinn Eighe, things started to unravel. He lost the lead shortly after the halfway mark and struggled with both mental and physical fatigue. Still, he pressed on, knowing that two-time champion Johan Hasselmark was closing in. He fought to stay in second place, refusing to give in despite the pain and exhaustion.
When Iain crossed the finish line after 11 hours, 13 minutes, and 49 seconds, he had delivered a performance that was nothing short of heroic. Yes, it was bittersweet—he led for a good chunk of the race and came so close to the win. But let’s be clear: second place in an event like Celtman isn’t second-best. It’s elite. It’s fierce. It’s world-class.
So hats off to Iain Veitch—not just for placing second, but for showing what it means to endure, to fight, and to leave it all out there on the course. What a phenomenal display of grit and heart.
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