Scottish triathlete and Moray Road Runners athlete Cameron Main aims for Commonwealth Games qualifying after making European triathlon under-23 championships and running a Scottish record 5k
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FRESH from qualifying for the European under-23 triathlon championships, Moray athlete Cameron Main has his sights firmly set on next year’s Commonwealth Games.
Main (21), from Elgin, who is on the Scottish performance circuit in his sport, raced his first international triathlon in 19 months in Wales, and finished third overall to make the GB team for the Euros next month.
Only a month earlier, the Moray Road Runner became the fastest-ever under-23 runner in Scottish athletics history over 5k when he posted a time of 13 minutes, 53 seconds in the Podium 5k in Lancashire. It was also the joint-fourth fastest time by a Scot of any age.
Running is the strongest part of Main’s triathlon – which also comprises of swimming and cycling – and he is working hard on all three disciplines in an effort to make the Scotland team for Birmingham 2022.
“Qualifying for the Commonwealth Games next year in Birmingham is looking promising with the form I have shown in training over the last few months,” he said.
“If I manage to perform well at European Cups (top 3), then I will be able to get on the start list at some world cup events. If I perform well at this level, then it could allow me to be automatically selected for the team or at least put me right up there for selection.
Making the European under-23 championships, which starts in Kitzbuhel, Austria on June 19, is a big step in the right direction for the former Elgin Academy pupil, now based at Stirling University.
He could also make the world under-23s, which would make a huge contribution towards possible selection.
“I am feeling confident that if I continue to train the way I am at the moment and stay fit and healthy, then I will be on the start line at Birmingham next year,” he said.
The coronavirus pandemic hit every sport hard last year, but Main was able to train hard with his girlfriend and fellow top Scottish triathlete Sophia Green when the pair headed back to spend lockdown with family in Elgin.
Triathlon events were still a long way away, but Sunday’s event in Llanelli saw Main return to action in style, finishing as second under-23 athlete and third overall to make his first major championships with the GB team
“Very happy to put down a solid performance in Llanelli,” he said.
“Still lots of work to do and it was a shock to the body after a long time of no racing. I can’t wait to see what the rest of the season has to offer.”
A week on Saturday, Main heads for Poland to take part in the European Cup in Olsztyn, before running in the British 10000m Championships in Birmingham a week later.
Another European Cup event in Portugal will prepare him for the European U23 Championships, and he aims to qualify for the European 10000m Championships in Norway in July and the World U23s in Canada in August.
