A popular feature of the Scottish Cycling, Running and Outdoor Pursuits Show is the theatre where many stars of the outdoors and sports world are interviewed or give a guest presentation.
Six of the show’s stars
Dr Andrew Murray in one of his many races.Pic credit: Sandbaggers Dave Scott
Dr Andrew Murray
Andrew Murray is well known for his inspiring talks and encouragement to people to get outdoors more. He is an acclaimed endurance runner and has run 430 km from John O’ Groats to the Sahara desert, completed a world first of seven ultra marathons on seven different continents in less than a week and also won 14 international races at marathon distance or longer.
He is also acknowledged as an expert in physical activity for health, having worked as the Scottish Government’s first physical activity champion. He is currently an ambassador for NHS Inform and for Merrell UK.
Andrew will be talking about his adventures on Saturday at the show – and reminding everyone about the benefits of getting out and being active.
- This event is supported by Merrell UK
Jenny Meadows
Jenny is one of Britain’s leading female athletes and competes in the 800m track distance. She has represented Great Britain since 2000 when she was a member of the Great Britain Juniors 4x400m relay team that became World Junior Champions.
Showing early promise, Jenny won a place in the GB Olympic team in Beijing in 2008. At the Olympic Games she qualified for the semi-final of the 800m in her heat and then ran close to her personal best in a time of 1.59.43 in the semi-finals. She finished sixth.
Her breakthrough came at the 2009 World Outdoor Championships in Berlin where she won a bronze medal in a life-time best of 1:57.93 and became the third fastest British women.
She has since improved her indoor personal best time at the Birmingham Grand Prix in February 2010 and became the British Indoor record holder. At the World Indoor Championships in Doha, where she was awarded the captaincy of the GB team, she claimed the silver medal in a time of 1:58:43.
In 201, at the European Indoor Championships Jenny won gold for the individual event and silver as part of the 4x400m relay. That year she became British Champion outdoors and won the Diamond League Series.
After battling injuries in 2012 and 2013, which forced Jenny to miss competing in her home Olympics, Jenny made a return to competitive action to become Commonwealth Games finalist in 2014 and the world leader in the Women’s 800m indoors in 2015.
Not only will Jenny be chatting in the show theatre, she will also be at the 40m indoor running track to give a Running Mechanics session each day.
Paula McGuire
Paula “Must Try Harder” McGuire isn’t your average adventurer. She doesn’t even own a sleeping bag. In fact, Paula spent her early years hiding from life. She eventually found her world shrinking to the confines of her own home without an escape route.
In 2012, adventure became Paula’s unique therapy and, ever since, she has terrified herself daily in the name of recovery. So far, it’s working and now she plans to push herself like never before all in the name of beating the mental illness that stole too many years of her life.
I have written about Paula’s incredible quest to swim around mainland Britain. The feat is even more amazing when you discover she is a recovering aquaphobic, who spent 30 years unable to break a sweat when close to open water.
Paula will talk about how she has overcome severe anxiety and mental health issues by challenging herself to take on adventures – and the ultimate test of swimming around Britain.
Markus Stitz
Bikepacking Scotland is the brainchild of Markus Stitz, who has cycled around the world on a singlespeed bike. Markus cycled on and off road, through 26 different countries and is now back Scotland with the aim of developing bikepacking as an accessible activity for all.
With a vast network of heritage paths, purpose-built mountain bike trails, bothies, pubs, quiet roads and cycle paths, Markus believes we have the perfect ingredients for a great bikepacking adventure in Scotland.
From routes such as the Capital Trail and the Central Belter, to gear reviews, events, talks and social rides, Markus is in the process of building a comprehensive community of bikepackers.
Come along and hear Marcus chat about what cycling possibilities Scotland has to offer. he will be at the show on Sunday.
Graeme Obree has always been driven to achieve. Pic credit Thomas Nugent.
Graeme Obree
Back by popular demand for the third year running, Graeme Obree, aka The Flying Scotsman, will be taking part in the show theatre. He will chat candidly about his eventful career during which he twice broke the world hour record (1993 and 1994) and became World Champion for the 4km pursuit in 1993 and 1995.
He will talk about the highs, the lows and his innovative style of riding that have made him a house hold name. He’ll also be bringing along his infamous Beastie bike for you to check out first hand.
Graeme will be in the theatre on both days of the show.
Lee, centre, is part of the women’s 4x400m relay team that took bronze at the World Athletics Championships 2007.
Lee McConnell
Commonwealth medallist Lee McConnell began her career in the high jump before progressing to the 400m and 400m hurdles event. The Glasgow native has won medals at European, Commonwealth and World Championship level as well as competing in three Olympic Games.
Since retiring from professional athletics in 2014, Lee continues to play an active role in the world of athletics through commentary and punditry.
Catch Lee talking about her roller coaster career on Saturday in the show theatre.
Find out more and for tickets: Scottish Cycling, Running and Outdoor Pursuits Show.