A WEE County man came back from the Starman Night Triathlon triumphant after winning the inaugural event.

Sean McFarlane, 44, from Dollar was first to cross the finish line on Saturday, August 19 with a time of 6:39:07.

He said: "What an utterly fabulous race. Such a memorable day and particularly night.

"The whole event was very, very special and the True Grit team ensured things ran brilliantly.

"A unique format in an iconic location, the combination worked brilliantly. The race is certainly set to go from strength to strength."

Set in the picturesque Cairngorms in the Scottish Highlands, the middle-distance tri with a difference invited competitors to start at midnight by slipping into the black waters of Loch Morlich for a 1.2 mile swim in the dark.

This was followed by a 56-mile cycle along the silent, Speyside roads before taking on the summits of Cairn Gorm and Meall a Bhuachaille as the dawn rose on this breath-taking setting.

The whole event was managed by True Grit Events, a new management company based in Aberfeldy in the Highlands, who set up the triathlon to offer something different for athletes and outdoor addicts.

Participants could enter individually or as part of a relay team and people came from as far afield as Bristol along with many from the across Scotland to brave the dark.

The inaugural event’s overall winner was Sean McFarlane, 44, from Dollar, Scotland at 6:39:07.

The first female competitor to cross the line was Gillian Sangster, 46, from Carnoustie with a time of 7:33:05.

Set up by Andrew Hastings and Caroline MacKechnie, True Grit Events create, build and deliver exceptional endurance challenge events.

Their mission is to run unique and challenging events in spectacular settings, giving everyone the opportunity to go further, train harder and achieve more than they ever thought possible.

From hot tarmac to magnificent mountains, Andrew and Caroline have over 20 years combined experience in the endurance event industry.

Caroline said of Starman: "We are absolutely overwhelmed by the success of the event, especially as it was the first one.

"Everyone who took part gave 100 per cent and really seemed to enjoy themselves too despite the huge challenge.

"We´d like to thank everyone that helped make it happen and most importantly everyone who participated in this crazy challenge. We hope to see you all back here next year."