Blazing a trail
Superfit Brian’s made of strong stuff
An East Kilbride firefighter who competes the length and breadth of the UK in duathlons and triathlons shows no sign of stopping after picking up his latest title.
However, Brian O’Neill, 45, admits it’s not getting any easier to keep pace with his competitors.
He recently won the Over-40s veterans’ UK firefighters team duathlon in Rivington, Lancashire, with fellow firefighter Chris Rainford from Greater Manchester.
The event consisted of a 5.7km run, 37.5km cycle and a second 5.7km run round the hills of Rivington.
They also came in third overall against stiff competition – and younger athletes – in tough conditions.
Brian’s usual partner, Graeme Crowl from Clarkston, was injured but the two have competed together for a number of years.
Brian, a keen runner who has competed since the 1980s in the league, which sees fire services from across the UK participate against each other in four races a year, says he has no intention of hanging up his running shoes anytime soon.
“I guess you can say competing is in my blood,” he said.
“I have been running since I was 13 at school and I am also a member of EK Athletics Club and was in EK Triathlon Club when it was on the go.
“I just really enjoy the buzz of competing and training – I cycle or run everyday to work.
“It also ties in with my job as a firefighter as I have to be fit.”
“I am not going to lie – it’s not getting any easier the older I get. I am more prone to injuries and I am up against guys in their 20s – but I like to think I can still give them a good run for their money.”
Brian, who is married to Pamela and lives in Mossneuk, has also competed in Ironman competitions abroad with fellow firefighters from the league.
But he admits they aren’t looking to take the glory from the “big boys” and use it more as a training exercise against each other.
They have also organised various charity races over the years to help good causes close to their hearts.
Brian, who has a daughter and two step-children, will now turn his attentions to a Triathlon in Oxford in May.
“I will now turn my attentions to picking up the swimming,” he continued.
“The first event is always a duathlon as it’s not quite the weather for a triathlon.
“So I will be hitting the pool after I finish work from now on.
“Pamela comes to spectate at most of them and cheer me on.
“But she drew the line in Lancashire as the weather was atrocious and it wasn’t really spectator friendly with no where to grab a coffee – so I don’t blame her really.”
I’d like to think I give younger guys a run for their money Brian O’Neill