Unsung hero recognition humbling, says triathlete

Paul McIntyre won the north-west regional award and is now in the running for the overall Sports Personality of the Year Unsung Hero Award for 2024

A triathlete in the running for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Unsung Hero Award says he feels "truly grateful and humbled" by the recognition.

Paul McIntyre, from Nantwich, won the north-west of England unsung hero award, and now he could win the full national title, at a ceremony on Tuesday evening.

Mr McIntyre founded Nantwich Triathlon Club in 2001 and also set up The Dabbers Dash - a community run which helps people stay fit whilst enabling local charities to engage with the community.

"It was an, 'Oh my goodness, wow' moment, I was completely blown away," he said of the moment he found out he was nominated.

It had been a complete surprise to be told he'd won the north west of England award by BBC sports presenter Richard Askam, having initially thought the crew was meeting him to record a feature on grass roots sports.

"[But] for that to happen, I was completely blown away," Mr McIntyre said.

"This is a hobby, where I bring people along and hopefully exercise helps them and people in the community."

The overall Unsung Hero Award winner will be revealed during the live BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2024 programme, next week.

It celebrates volunteers who make a positive impact on their community through grassroots sports.

'Out of this world'

Having qualified in July last year for the Iron Man 70.3 triathlon world championships, Mr McIntyre is currently in New Zealand and will miss the awards ceremony, but said he would catch up on iPlayer afterwards as it was "always thrilling" to watch.

"There's been some absolutely fantastic people who've been nominated for this award in the past, people who've won it," he said.

"I've seen the competition – the things they've achieved, themselves and others, is absolutely marvellous. To be among those people is an immense honour, really."

When he first launched the club, he said he found people were often intimidated by the prospect of combining running, cycling and swimming and they felt like they had to be "super fit" to take part – a perception he hoped he has helped overturn.

He says it will feel "like a Charlie Bucket and the chocolate factory" moment that's "out of this world", if he goes on to win the national award as well.