Titanium man takes on the Iron Men

It is challenge that would make any athlete blanch - a two-and-a-half mile swim, followed by a 112-mile cycle, finished off with a marathon.

For quadruple amputee Jamie Andrew, the Titanium Man Triathlon will be the biggest challenge yet of his sporting life.



The mountaineer, who lost both his feet and hands in an Alpine accident eight years ago - has been preparing for it for more than a year , having learned to cycle and swim unaided again.

The 37-year-old, from Bruntsfield, hopes his efforts will raise £50,000 and help get his new charity for amputees 500 Miles off to a flying start.



Jamie will wear artificial limbs when cycling and running, but he will enter Loch Tay in just a wetsuit. He will rely on the strength of his arms, amputated at the wrist, to power him through the water.

Jamie has drawn up the Titanium Man challenge himself and aims to complete it alone within 24 hours on August 4. He will swim across Loch Tay before cycling the exhausting distance from Kenmore, via Loch Lomond and Stirling, to Falkirk.

From there, he will simulate a marathon 26.5 miles along the Union Canal towpath and to his Bruntsfield home. He said: "This will be the toughest challenge yet. I've mountaineered for 24 hours before but this will be tougher."