High 5: Captain Matt Howard

Published on Wednesday 14 May 2008 09:40

Captain Matt Howard, 33, an operations officer with Edinburgh-based battalion 1 Scots, currently serving in Basra, names his top five sporting activities in the city:

1 Climbing at Edinburgh International Climbing Arena, Ratho. It's the most awesome climbing wall I have ever had the pleasure to climb. Its size, diversity and surroundings make it truly world-class. – and you can get a beer afterwards.

2 Running in the Pentland Hills. When you reach the "top", apart from the joy of beating the uphill, you can see all the way to Fife on a clear day.

3 Running on Arthur's Seat. Great scenery again. At ground level Holyrood Palace is impressive, but from above it is far more spectacular. Plus there are normally some great looking ladies keeping fit there.

4 Swimming at the Commonwealth Pool. I first swam in there during the Edinburgh Sprint Triathlon in 2004. Even though it's 50 metres in length, because of its width, it seems longer.

5 Running in the Meadows. The Meadows is perfect for a relaxed run.