From Brian Crinion May the 6th will be the 25th Duathlon held as part this race series run by Belpark Triathlon Club. The Duathlons (Run, Cycle, Run) are held in the Phoenix Park on the first Wednesday evening of May, June, July & August.
“ We’re constantly amazed how what was conceived as a low maintenance mid week event, gets such big numbers and brings so many new people into the sport”, says Belpark Triathlon Club’s event director Brian Crinion. Top Athletes signed up
Already some of the best Irish athletes have signed up. Beth McCluskey (probably the best mountain biker in Ireland and Irish International mountain runner) is back from injury and racing. New to the sport this year is Eilis Connery, but with her run speed she easily won the Limerick Duathlon series last month, not to mention finishing 6th overall in the Ballycotton 10mile.
Mark Doyle is racing. He’s fresh from his overall win as well as 2 commanding individual wins in the Punchestown Duathlon series, not to mention last weekend win at the Waterford Duathlon. There are also a few new mountain runners who look like they’ll rip up the run course in a manner not seen since Garry Crossan raced the duathlons in preparation for his wins in the Irish marathon championships. Expect Barry Minnoch to be leading the pace on the first run fresh from his 31min split on the hilly Great Ireland Run. Not far behind and with a win last weekend at the Mullingar Duathlon under his belt will be Kevin Keane. It’s going to be class!
Formula 1 Duathlon
This year we’re putting on a Formula 1 Duathlon for the August event. 2004 was that last time we ran a ‘Formula 1’ event, which was won by Irish International Allistair McCaw (who came over from the Netherlands to race). A Formula 1 duathlon goes as follows, run, cycle, run, cycle, run. It’s a duathlon format which usually results in several changes of the race lead as well as makes the 4 transitions critical. Allistair only won the 2004 race in a sprint finish. Winner of last years August Duathlon and the European and World age-group championships; David Vaughan is planning to make the trip home to Ireland to race the Formaula 1 duathlon.
Beginners in the multi-sport world
With about 50 newcomers per event, many on mountain bikes, it’s the ideal first event for those looking to get into the multi-sport and triathlon scene. However newcomers are not to be underestimated; Garry Crossan won at his first attempt. Also as cash‘primes’ are given for the first person to finish the first 2mile leg, certain track stars (who shall remain nameless) have been know to race for the ‘primes’ alone.
The course was designed with first timers in mind, as the run is flat and the cycle is on wide well surfaced roads, which are closed to traffic. Most of the 200 plus competitors in each race finish within 25 minutes of the winners, so it’s very competitive and you’re guaranteed not to be in no-mans land during the event, finding yourself minutes from competitors ahead and behind you.
For more information and online entries please visit www.dublintri.com