Marc Austin, the Glasgow triathlete who won this summer’s British Aquathon junior title, is the newest   athlete to join the West of Scotland Institute of Sport.

The Scotstoun 15 year old had originally been a runner who took up swimming to boost his fitness before turning his attention to multi-discipline events.

“I entered the Stirling Aquathon for fun when I was 11, came second and I’ve just kept doing it since then,” he said.

“The year after that I got selected for the British Inter Regional Triathlon Championships, then a year later I started concentrating more seriously on it.”

In a typical week Marc has up to seven two-hour swimming sessions, three runs and is working hard to bring his cycling up the same standard.

“The bike is my weakness at the moment and I’m working on it to make it better,” he said.  “My best point varies between running and swimming. At the moment running is my best.”

Marc’s support team is certainly comprehensive.  His coaches include Triathlon Scotland’s Chris Volley and Blair Cartmell, Dave Hill for swimming and Charlie Murray and John Dargie for running.  He is a member of City of Glasgow Swim Team and Victoria Park City of Glasgow Athletics Club.

Meeting the selection criteria for the West of Scotland Institute of Sport – by running the 1500m in 4:35 minutes and producing a 200 metres freestyle time of 2.08 this season – will add another dimension of support.

The Area Institutes of Sport network provides high performance expertise to Scotland’s potential world class talent. Marc will have access to essential support services locally in sports medicine, sports science, strength and conditioning, and career and lifestyle guidance.

“I need to work on my flexibility and core strength so the Strength & Conditioning sessions will be a big help,” said Marc who has his first meeting at West of Scotland Institute’s Palace of Art headquarters last week.

September’s Scottish Aquathon Championships at Portobello, in which he finished fifth against many of the country’s top adult competitors, concluded Marc’s 2009 season. Much is in store for 2010.

“I’ve got the national cross country Championships in February,” he said.  “I hope to qualify for the British Inter Regional Triathlon Championships and also qualify for the British team going to the European Youth Relay Championships.”