Kids Aquathon
Kids from all over Donegal and Ulster arrived at the Aura Leisure Centre on Sunday morning to take part in Letterkenny 24/7’s inaugural Kids aquathon. After the wash out on Saturday the clear skies were a welcome sight for the organisation committee, parents and athletes. In total 69 competitors took part, ranging in age from 8 – 15. Distances varied depending on age category with all competitors completing the triathlon Ireland sanctioned combined swim and run event. Each race started with a swim in the Aura pool, with distances ranging from 150m for those in the 8-9 years category up to 450m for those in the 14-15years group. Athletes then exited the pool into the transition area just outside to quickly get changed and embark on the run section, this time with distances from 900m to 3km.
All the athletes aquitted themselves brilliantly and were presented with medals at the final ceremony, with a trophy being presented to each of the category winners, age 8-9: Molly Nulty / Aaron Gault. Age 10-11: Jennifer Fidgeon / Eoin Bonar. Age 12-13: Eadaoin O Raw / Conal Bonar. Age 14-15: Christine Russell / Odhran McKane
Ironmen
The club had a number of representives completing in Ironman and Half Ironman distances over the weekend. On the Spainish Island of Lanzorte, Alan O Mahony, Pauric Kelly and John Cannon took part in what is described by most as the toughest Ironman in Europe, given the heat and relentless hills with an elevation of 5,100 feet at its highest point. Alan completed the 3.8km swim, 180km bike and a marathon (42km) run course in 11hours 32min, finishing 29 in his age catogery, setting himself up brilliantly with an excellent swim . Pauric was home in 12 hours 24 min and will be delighted with his first outing in an Ironman event, especially with his sub 4 hour marathon. In the veteran category John placed in 39th position and completed the gruelling course in 14 hours and 48 minutes. A massive well done and congratulations goes out to the boys and their support teams for what is a great personal achievement after nearly 6 months of training.
National Half Ironman Championships
A little closer to home the National Half Ironman Championships were taking place in the Royal County. Collinstown, County Meath was the location for the 1500m swim, 90km bike and 22km run. The weather played havoc on the day with the cold water and air temperatures really testing the athlete’s reserves of grit and determination. Due to the cold water temperature the swim had to be reduced to 750m.
Gavin Crawford and Damien Mc Goohan made the journey to Meath with high hopes of good performances after months of training. Unfortunately for Damien it wasn’t to be as he had to pull out of the race on the bike leg due to an injury he sustained earlier in the season flaring up again and causing considerable discomfort. He is well on the road to recovery now, hopeful for a return to racing in a couple of weeks, as he continues his training for IRONMAN Bolton in the UK in July. Gavin had a better day, after the extremely cold swim leg put together an excellent bike and run leg. He made up considerable time on the bike and capped this off by completing his half marathon in 1 hour 28 minutes, finishing in 12th place and 3rd in his age category. This will set Gavin up nicely for the National Series which kicks off this week for most club members in Rossess Point, County Sligo.
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