A MUCKHART man who turned a series of personal bereavements into reasons to lose weight and get healthy has finished a gruelling 100-mile cycle through London.

Iain Whyte (52) took part in last Sunday’s RideLondon-Surrey 100 event as the Team Prudential competition winner.

He was chosen because of his ongoing efforts to shed pounds in the wake of the deaths of his parents and close friend within a short period.

The business consultant applied for the mammoth challenge and won the Team Prudential customer competition, after listing his reasons as: (a) to lose weight; (b) to live more healthily and for longer; and (c) to be a role model to his children.

He said: “Around 18 months ago a very good friend of mine died and I just thought I really had to something about my weight.

“I was midway through sorting myself out when my mum died but it was the exercise programme I was on that helped get me through.

“It was cathartic for me,” he added. “It was something that provided a distraction from what was going on but also focus on what I wanted to achieve.

“I also had kids later in life, so that was another motivation to get fit.” With these events fresh in his mind, Iain became determined to slim down and within the 18 months he went from 30 stone to 20.

And it is estimated that he burned off a further 5,000 calories from Sunday’s gruelling event alone.

Prior to Sunday’s event, the longest distance Iain had cycled was a comparatively small 40 miles.

He said: “There were times during the race that I thought to myself: ‘What have you done?’ “But then I knew I could do ten miles, so I kept telling myself that it was just a few 10-mile races in a row. I would just check my watch every 10 miles and tick them off.

“There were plenty of times along the way when I thought I couldn’t complete it, and I suffered cramp late on.” At the finishing line waiting for Iain were his three kids Morag, Heather and Angus who all flew south for the event.

He added: “Really, I just wanted to complete the race in the time they allow you to but I was really pleased with how I did.

“I was given my medal and then saw my family and ... oh, it was a total release. I wore it all the way home and that is not something I would normally do.” Iain had taken part in a number of five and 10-kilometre runs before completing the Loch Ness marathon in seven hours and 19 minutes.

In doing so, he chose to raise money for those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, which had affected both his parents.

Now he is hoping others may see the obvious benefits of keeping healthy and said: “Lots of people don’t do things because of their size – and now I don’t actually care any more. This is not the end, but the beginning.

“My advice to others is to get yourself out there and exercise, but at your own pace. It does make a difference. If people would take that first step and not worry about it then you can achieve anything.”