Duathlon Organizers Buy Loch Ness Monster Coverage from R&SA

FirstGroup, the UK-based, organizers of the forthcoming “First Monster Duathlon,” are taking no chances that the event, which will take place around the shores of Scotland’s storied Loch Ness, will be interrupted by the legendary monster.

The UK’s largest surface transport operator announced that they’ve arranged for £1 million ($1.98 million) of coverage from Royal and Sun Alliance, which will pay off “in the event of an attack by or proven sighting of the Loch Ness Monster” during the 120km (77 mile) team duathlon scheduled for Sunday Sept. 2.

Malcolm Sutherland, race director, explained: “FirstGroup plans for all eventualities in the transport business so we thought we would provide security for our competitors in the terrible event of a Loch Ness Monster attack! On a slightly more positive note, we have also asked our insurance company to pay out should anyone be fortunate enough to prove a sighting of Nessie! After all, rarely will Loch Ness have seen so many finely tuned athletes – it may just stir the Monster into making an appearance. Anything could happen!”

R&SA’s trading director Jon Woodman acknowledged that the coverage “is one of our more unusual requests,” but he added that “it certainly gave our team something to get their teeth into and we are, of course, delighted to support such a charitable event. As an insurer, we are most concerned with putting our customers back into the position they were in prior to the incident. In the event of Nessie deciding to cause some havoc on the 2nd, we have agreed to compensate the victims accordingly and hopefully now all the participants can rest assured before the event.”

The duathlon is run by teams of four. “Each competitor is required to complete two legs of the eight-legged event – one 10km run and one 20km cycle,” FirstGroup explained. The Company is encouraging competitors to raise money for its charity partners, Save the Children.

Those interested in participating, or in getting more information can go to: www.firstmonster.co.uk

Source: FirstGroup – http://www.firstgroup.com