A GLASGOW man has beat out some of Europe's top swimmers to be crowned the champion of Red Bull's gruelling Neptune Steps swimming challenge.

 

Mark Deans, from Jordanhill, completed the 420 metre sprint-swim up course in the freezing Forth and Clyde Canal water in two separate heats before diving in to the final round.

The 20-year-old, who was among 100 swimmers competing at Saturday's event at Maryhill Locks, reached the finish line in just under five minutes.

More than 1500 people turned out to watch the swimmers who faced tough conditions due to windy weather.

During the race competitors also had to climb all eight of the canal's 17m high lock gates, with each gate presenting a new obstacle, including a climbing wall and a rope.

Despite being put through his paces, Mark, who has represented both Scotland and Great Britain at swimming events around the globe, thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

He said: "I'm feeling pretty pleased with how I got on on Saturday.

"It was quite different from what I usually do, I had never done anything like that before but it was really enjoyable."

This is not the first swimming title for Mark, who previously won the Scottish National Open Water competition in 2012 and 2013.

He said: "I want to try and take my swimming as far as I can and this event has helped to get my name out there and get me recognised.

"It's not something I usually get to do so it was nice to do something different."

The race was open to anyone with a background in adventure swimming, multi-event racing or military training.

The competition was split into four heats each containing 25 athletes, the top ten then progressed on to the semi-finals.

To take part in the race, competitors were asked to donate £5 to Wings for Life, a charity which was co-founded by Red Bull founder, Dietrich Mateschitz, to raise funds for spinal cord injury research.

The event, which was run in partnership with Scottish Canals, was the first of its kind to be held in Scotland although it is hoped it will not be the last.

A spokeswoman for Scottish Canals said: "We are absolutely delighted with how the event went.

"It was the first time an event like this has taken place in the Scottish canal and Maryhill could not have been a better location.

"We are particularly proud that the event was won by someone from Glasgow and would love to see the event come back in the future."