FirstGroup, Britain’s largest transport operator and organisers of the First Monster Challenge, has announced that the 2009 120km duathlon event raised more than £172,000 for good causes.

The gruelling September event attracted a sell out field, with more than 1,000 competitors, including celebrities Nell McAndrew and Gavin Hastings.

All participants were encouraged to raise money for First’s charity partner, Save the Children. Many other charities also benefited from the team relay duathlon including: Cancer Research, NSPCC, British Heart Foundation, Dreams Come True, the Highland Hospice, RNLI, Cancer Research, Alzheimer Scotland, Help for Heroes and others.

Sir Moir Lockhead, Chief Executive of FirstGroup said, “One of the main aims in organising and hosting the First Monster Challenge is to raise money for good causes, in particular Save the Children. We are delighted to have raised a record charity total for the event. Thank you to everyone who took part and to everyone who sponsored a friend or colleague. Let’s hope we can raise even more in 2010!”

Nell McAndrew said: “£172,000 is an amazing total. It’s great to see that such a fantastic event can also provide much needed support to so many charities, in particular Save the Children.”

Gavin Hastings said: “To have sold out in only its third year is a great achievement for the First Monster Challenge. But for the event to have also raised more than £172,000 whilst the nation is in the midst of a recession is exceptional. I am already looking forward to Monster 2010.”

Monster 2008 raised more than £140,000.

Monster 2009 was won by Inverness team, the Great Glen Grunters. They completed the course in a time of 5 hours 38 minutes, some three minutes short of the course record.

The First Monster Challenge, which has been officially accredited by the British Triathlon Foundation, is a 120km team relay duathlon around the shores of Loch Ness. In teams of four, each competitor is required to complete two legs of the eight-legged event – one 10km run and one 20km cycle.

2010 date will be announced here soon.