Insuring against Nessie

Organisers of a duathlon in Scotland have taken out a £1million insurance policy against attack by or sighting of the fabled Loch Ness monster.

First Monster Duathlon race director Malcolm Sutherland said they were planning for all eventualities.

Transport operator FirstGroup said in a statement its policy with insurers Royal and Sun Alliance would pay out should "Nessie" emerge from the murky depths of the vast watercourse and/or attack one of the competitors.

"This is one of our more unusual requests but it certainly gave our team something to get their teeth into," Royal and Sun Alliance trading director Jon Woodman said.

Any "proven sighting" has to be independently verified, subject to policy terms and conditions, the insurer said.

The September 2 event requires individuals in each team of four to complete two legs of the eight-legged event around the shores of Loch Ness, in northern Scotland -- one 10-kilometre run and one 20-kilometre cycle.