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Sportsman Spotlight
it’s the year the commonwealth games come to glasgow so we thought we’d
catch up with alex mcphee, a man who has accomplished some incredible
feats, across a range of sports, in his 45 years spent in stewarton.
Some of his achievements include being a member of the British amateur boxing team, being
named British tandem champion, winning the “Elite Tough Guy” competition on several
occasions, becoming Scottish “Triathlete of the Year” and following it up the next year by
winning the Scottish duathlon championship. In recent years Alex has represented Great
Britain in duathlon, triathlon and cycling in European and World championships. As well as
being a level 1, 2 and 3 triathlon coach, the recently married 53 year old is also trained as a
level 2 triathlon referee and as a boxing referee. We recently had the chance to ask Alex some
questions about his varied, and fascinating career.
what got you into sport?
As soon as I moved to Stewarton from Largs
at eight years old I got involved in sport. Back
then having a television wasn’t the norm, so
I joined the Stewarton Youth Club to get
involved in sport just for something to keep
me off the streets.
where has sport taken you in the
world?
More or less all over the
world. Australia, all across
Europe and I have raced
and competed in Canada.
what's your greatest
achievement?
Competing in the “Elite Tough
Guy” competition for 9 years
running was a huge achievement for me.
how often do you train?
Between 10 and 14 hours a week. It usually
involves yoga, weights and aqua jogging.
who is your sporting hero?
Muhammad Ali. Definitely.
how do you think local facilities in
stewarton compare with other areas?
what are you looking forward to in the
commonwealth games?
I think the facilities are great for football.
The athletics side of things needs major
work though, it really needs to be pushed
more. Although a lot of it is down to the
government. For a town the size of Stewarton
not to have a swimming pool or a running
track is pretty shocking. It prevents kids
getting involved in a huge variety of
sports. If they don’t fancy football
it leaves them with no options.
I’ll actually be judging boxing at the games so
that will be the highlight for me!
what's been your most
embarrassing moment when
competing?
That would have to be when my
missus overtook me on the duathlon at
Peebles and slapped me on the bum on the
way past!
what’s your favorite sport?
I have enjoyed every sport I have ever
competed in, and took them all to the extreme.
But my favorite would have to be time trials as
it’s just you and the clock, no one else.
what facilities does stewarton require to
help develop local sporting potential?
As I said before, the facilities for football are
fantastic. But not every kid wants to be the
next Dennis Law. If we only concentrate on
one sport, it makes it extremely difficult to
develop potential in other areas. The only way
kids have a chance if we manage to get the
facilities for swimming, cycling, duathlon,
triathlon, circuit training and running.
aspiring athletes, young or old,
can take inspiration from what
alex has achieved in the world of
sport. it shows that even without
access to world class facilities,
hard work and determination can
take you a long way.
By Kyle Ferguson