Elgin Academy former pupil Cameron Main makes sensational star to Ironman pro series career and qualifies for world championships
From the thrill of representing Scotland at the Commonwealth Games to competing on the gruelling Ironman Pro triathlon series.
That’s the story of former Elgin Academy pupil Cameron Main’s sporting journey, which reached a peak last weekend with a stunning podium performance.
The 25-year-old began as a short course triathlete, competing at the top international level but a lack of funding and support forced him to join the professional ranks.
“My goal was always to go to the Olympics, so leaving the behind has been very challenging because it was the main driver for being involved in short course triathlon,” he said.
“But I am now excited to try and become a world champion in the long course triathlon world.”
Super-fit Cameron is a competitor in Ironman 70.3 events - he covers a total of 70.3 miles by swimming, cycling and running each race - and he could not have hoped for a better start.
A trip to Australia, where his father Russell is now based, led him to a storming performance in Geelong in March, where he finished fourth out of more than 1300 competitors and qualified for the world championships in Marbella in November.
He had tried out the 70.3 distance for the first time in Western Australia last year, and that was enough to persuade him to take on a large chunk of this year’s pro series.
For his second event of the series, Cameron headed to Italy over the May Day weekend to compete in the Venice-Jesolo 70.3 event, and finished in second place, just six seconds behind the winner.
“It was probably the best performance of my triathlon career so far and I’m excited for what’s next,” he said.
Cameron, now based in Loughborough with his girlfriend Sophia Green, who is also a top international triathlete from Elgin, had to make a big decision at the turn of the year based on his sporting aspirations.
“I wasn’t being supported by British Triathlon and there is currently a decrease in support being offered by British Triathlon due to ‘limited funding’,” he said.
“Therefore the chances of myself being put onto the funded programme was looking more and more unlikely the older I get, even though I was still progressing and improving significantly in the world of short course triathlon.
“I was slightly struggling with motivation when it comes to short course triathlon, the lack of control when it comes to what races you can do, limited prize money, lack of exposure and poor events, even at World Cup level.
“Over the last year I have been watching more long course races and the exposure these athletes are getting is very good, the events are really well organised and the support and crowds at every Ironman event is awesome. It’s basically like being at a major event every time you race which is very cool.
“I also love a challenge, which is what Ironman and Ironman 70.3 is all about, this motivates me and excites me to try and be the best at something different.
“I think this is probably the most determined I have ever been in my life to succeed at something.
“I am extremely motivated, and I am going to do everything I possibly can to become Ironman 70.3, T100 or Ironman World Champion, which I believe is totally possible.”
Cameron started his new sporting adventure Down Under, paying a visit to his father and entering the opening race of the year in Geelong, Victoria - with a spectacular result.
As with any 70.3 event, he had to swim for 1.9km, cycle for 90km and finish with a half marathon (21.1km).
He did all that in an incredible three hours, 34 minutes and 48 seconds including all the transitions between the three pursuits, and was just ten seconds off the podium.
Finishing 80 seconds ahead of Cameron in first place was current Ironman 70.3 world champion Jelle Geens from Belgium, who had already qualified for the world championships along with the second-placed athlete, so Casmeron’s fourth place wasenough to book his spot in Marbella.
“Geelong was a great performance from me in all three disciplines,” he said.
“The bike was probably one of the most positive parts of the race for me, after struggled quite a lot at Ironman 70.3 Western Australia last December I have put a lot of focus on the bike and been working really hard to improve this discipline.
“So to have one of the fastest bikes on the day and come off in the front group was a huge positive.
“I knew I was in a good place to put down a good time for the half marathon, but I exceeded my expectations and ran better than I thought I would.”
Last weekend, Cameron took his performances to a new level as he was just six seconds off winning a major event.
He was edged out by rising Greek star Panagiotis Bitados, who won his second race of the series in a very fast race.
“It was a really tough race from start to finish,” he said.
“I knew that there'd be some quick guys coming from behind, but managed to secure second place in the end, so really happy with the overall race.
“It was an amazing venue, the support was unbelievable, and as always Ironman put on an incredible race, and I'm really looking forward to the next one in two weeks' time.”
Could Cameron achieve a first victory at Aix-En-Provence in France?
If not, he will have other opportunities including the European Championships in Sweden in July, another Italy 70.3 event in September and a return to Australia at the end of the year.
“Most of the races I plan to do this year are Ironman branded events, however I will be doing one event in France (September 6) that is a separate professional event from Ironman with great prize money and in a really cool location.
“I also may get the opportunity to race a T100 event (a new organisation that holds high level professional long course triathlon races over a 2km swim, 80km bike, 18km run).”
Cameron is always seeking sponsorship opportunities, which he hopes will become more available in the higher profile Ironman world.
He graduated at Loughborough University with a Master of Science degree with Merit in Sports Management, and also set up his own sports coaching business with his girlfriend Sophia.
But he has the ultimate professional sporting dream of making a living out of competing one day.
The Ironman Pro Series is a series of 18 races throughout the year, a mix of 70.3 events and full distance Ironman.
Each triathlete’s best five races form a total score, with double points awarded for doing full distance events.
“There are definitely a lot more sponsorship opportunities being involved in the Ironman Pro Series compared to short course because of better exposure and more marketing opportunities.
“By the end of the year I hope to be in a much better financial position and in future years make a living out of the sport.”
