It's tough at the top (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

It's tough at the top

AN action man council boss is set to blow the desk job stereotype out of the water.

Andrew Pate, chief executive of West Wiltshire District Council, will be showing what he is made of in a gruelling Iron Man contest set to push competitors to their limits.

The 46-year-old father-of-four said: "I suppose people might in some ways think it is an unusual thing to do but it is actually a good way of getting rid of stress and dealing with pressure.

"It keeps you energised and positive and I really enjoy it. The downside is trying to fit in the training."

Mr Pate will be taking part in the half Iron Man contest at Longleat, Shearwater and on roads around the county, in three weeks.

The punishing event sees competitors swimming 1.2 miles, cycling 56 miles and then running a half marathon.

The council chief took part in his first half Iron Man event last year and has been following a strict training regime since Easter to prepare for this year's race.

"It is really hard and last year I swore I would never do it again but what has really made me want to do it this year is it is coming to west Wiltshire."

Up to 800 people are expected to take part in the contest, from professional athletes who will finish the course in about four-and-a-half hours to those who will take twice that time to get to the finish line.

Mr Pate, who has been vegetarian for the past 25 years and follows a balanced diet in the run-up to events, hopes to beat the time he set last year by completing the course in about five hours 45 minutes.

"I am not so serious that I am looking to get a top position but I would hope to get a reasonable position in the middle of the field," he said.

Mr Pate, who has always enjoyed sports, became chief executive of the council early last year and said he is pleased the popular Iron Man event is coming to the area.

"As a council we are really pleased to bring the event to west Wiltshire. We are expecting it to attract about 10,000 people and bring about £2m into the local economy."

His family are fully behind his efforts to push himself further and further and he will be cheered on by wife, Alice, and children Fergus, 22, Grace, 18, Jessica, six, and four-year-old William.

He has also taken part in the Four Peaks Challenge, as well as other demanding contests, and said he hopes to complete a full Iron Man event once in his life.

As well as the personal challenge Mr Pate hopes to raise money for a range of local charities and anyone wishing to sponsor him can contact the Wiltshire Times newsroom on (01225) 773638.

For more information about the event on September 11, visit www.ironmanuk.com