Last weekend seen soaring numbers take part in the annual letterkenny Tri a Tri hosted by 247 Triathlon club at the very popular Aura Leisure centre.
From the crack of dawn a flurry of the hard working volunteers were putting the final touches to the race course and competitors from the four corners of the country were rolling into a welcoming 247 tri-club registration.
With nervous competitors making final adjustments in warm ups, it signalled that that moment has finally arrived, this is it my first ever triathlon. All those hours of training and re hearsing have all come down to this, you could feel the energy it was palatable, courageous and contagious.
Under the careful supervised by Karl Vekins and Conor Eannetta of Triathlon Ireland the 10.30am hooter sounded, and they were off. In what was a still calm swimming pool was now a wash of colourful tri-suits. A total of 200 meters was the tri a tri distance before leaving the pool to take on the 13km bike course. The adrenaline was flowing making the pace frantic from the fifty competing competitors. Support from family and friends on the day was just amazing for the newbies to the sport and the cheers of pride were surly welcoming as the entered transition for the final time changing from cycling to running for the final 3k to the finish line, which is not an easy task.
First in and winner was 247 club member Philip Browne followed by Liam Wilson and third was Joseph Stunks both representing northwest triathlon club. First in for the ladies and impressively 4th over all was a young letterkenny junior Shauna mc Fadden followed by fellow junior member Emma Tinney.
Next up was the turn of the more experienced as 85 triathletes taking on the super sprint course. With a quality field, it wasn’t long until the strong athletes established themselves at the head of the field seeing Derry triathlete Sean Mc Laughlin winning from local Fergus Callaghan, following in 3rd was also local native Ronan Dorrian.
First lady home, after a lengthy lay off with injury was Christine Russell ,who was solely using the test to establish there fitness and dip her toe back into racing after a lengthy layoff, it was great to see 247 club member Christine back in action. following her in to 2nd place was club member Ita mc Gettigan and 3rd was fellow club member Martina mc Daid both with a hugely impressive first super sprint, but deservedly so as Ita & Martina have worked so hard to get competitive this season, im sure theres lots to come from these two fine athletes.
By way of thank you the club would like to acknowledge the support of the help/volunteers on the day the kind sponsorship and use of the facilities at Aura Leisure center ,St Eunans GAA for the use of the car park and Glenard Plant for sweeping and of course the fifty club volunteers who made sure the event ran smoothly. The competitors from our own club 46 in total, who along with the club coaches and mentors worked extremely hard. Be proud & huge congrats to all.
Full results can be seen on chipit.ie as now all eyes now focus on the main triathlon event in July at the very beautiful Gartan outdoor center.
New Club members are alway very welcome simply join on www.triathlonireland.com nominate letterkenny 247 as your club and you simply become a triathlete.
Tags: