Moray Firth Triathlete Stephen Sharpe has been awarded not only the Veteran Sports Person of the Year but scooped the coveted Overall Sports Personality of the Year at the 2019 annual Sport Moray Awards held in Elgin Town Hall on 27 November.
Steve took up triathlon in 2016. With no sporting background and having done a little running to only get rid of the post Christmas calories (his words!) he decided he would take up the sport to give cycling and swimming a go. He quickly fell in love with the sport and having enjoyed the physical and mental challenges of his first triathlon race, he started to take it more seriously. He joined both Forres Harriers, Forres Cycling and Moray Firth Triathlon Club, stepped up his training regime and over time entered more races with increasing local success.
In 2018 he qualified to represent his age group category (male 45-49) for Team GB at the 2019 European Middle Distance Championships in Targu Mures, Romania on 7 July. Athletes competed over a 1.9 km swim, 82 km cycle followed by a 21 km run. Steve had no idea how he would perform compared to others in this International field but was delighted to complete the course in a fantastic time of 4 hours 15 mins achieving not only the fastest swim and run time for his age group but second place winning the silver medal.
Stephen’s achievement on the international stage was all the more remarkable because he only took up the sport three years ago. His love for the sport in infectious and an inspiration to his fellow club members. He is dedicated to his sport which he says “gives him a vehicle in which I can celebrate and express my joy for life”. He is a great supporter of his local club and has represented us locally, nationally and now internationally. This dedication was recognised by the Sport Moray judging panel who bestowed the honour to him.
Huge congratulations to Steve from everyone at Moray Firth Triathlon Club
!