ONE of the most popular family attractions in Lanarkshire, Motherwell’s Strathclyde Country Park, is set to take a starring role in the Commonwealth Games with preparations underway for the Glasgow 2014 triathlon.

The park will see the very first medals of the Commonwealth Games handed out next year - on July 24, with athletes swimming 1500m before switching to their bikes for 40km and rounding off with a 10km run.

With a year to go until the start of Glasgow 2014, local triathlete Grant Sheldon (18), who is in training to compete next year, took the opportunity for a spin round the route as the new signage was unveiled.

Set by the placid waters of Strathclyde Loch, the country park is a popular family attraction in Lanarkshire and central Scotland, with activities to suit everyone.

Visitors can enjoy a walk or cycle around the beautiful parkland by the loch, relax on the beaches, or try their hand at sailing, wind-surfing or water ski-ing at the park’s Watersports Centre.

Lanarkshire has plenty more to offer visitors and for more information on things to do and places to stay in Lanarkshire, visit: www.visitlanarkshire.com