Bridge Signs Ireland West Duathlon Series Success

Participation and inter-club rivalry is the secret to The Bridge Signs Ireland West Duathlon series – more than 700 walkers, runners and cyclist of all abilities taking part in one or more events throughout a three month period, with events held in six key towns in Mayo (Claremorris, Hollymount, Ballinrobe and Westport, Sligo (Enniscrone) and Galway (Belclare) throughout the winter and spring months.

Why It Works

Now in its fourth year, the series which has been sponsored for the past three years by Bridge Signs the Ballinrobe based print and design company, has grown in strength year on year.

The format works well for everyone especially during the winter months as people aren’t tied down to just training for one discipline they have the choice of either running or cycling. So if the weather is poor either a short run or an indoor spinning session works really well as the distances to complete are relatively short.

Everyone gets a split time for their first run, their first transition, their bike leg, their second transition, and their last run with a combined time for their overall. Every segment is seeded so it’s very easy to see where one’s progress or weakness lie.

Each event has its own prize fund and fanfare, friendships and rivalries build up from event to event.

The club/team and Corporate categories are well represented with squads from all over Connacht amassing at each event and great pride is shown by each when trying to defend their positions in the overall standing.

Age category prizes mean there are races within races with the over 40’s been the most competitive age group by far.

Gender wise it’s pretty equal with the males just about tipping the balance; this is brilliant for the future development of the sport of Duathlon as Mammies and Daddies will hopefully transfer their love of sport down to their siblings.

Ireland West Duathlon Series Bridge Signs of Ballinrobe

Brian Reilly director of Bridge Signs the Ballinrobe based print company; said “We are delighted to be involved with the Ireland West Duathlon series from its inception, seeing so many people take up the sport as a form of exercise and recreation firstly and then progressing on to be competitive in the various categories has been motivating and inspirational for us; showing with a bit of training and effort what one can achieve over a season or two.”

Bridge Signs Ireland West Duathlon Series 2019

Aidan Kelly from Galway Triathlon club came under the radar to sneak off with the overall title of Bridge Signs Ireland West Duathlon Series champion 2019; missing out at the first round Aidan was always to the fore from round 2 on. Strong bike splits meant Aidan usually caught the fast runners and could hold on well to finish high up the ranks by the finish.

In the Ladies Edel Reilly Hollymount Wheelers proved strongest out of all the female competitors, her running was the key, even surprising some of the male competitors. She was ably motivated as her Hollymount Wheelers team were at every event in big numbers securing their second win in the Team title race.

Bridge Signs Overall Results 2019

1^st Aidan Kelly Galway Triathlon club
2^nd Jonathon Rowland Liquid Motion Triathlon club
3^rd John Mullin Headford
4^th Killian Dooley Galway City Harriers
5^th Darren Quinn Grainne Uaile Tri club

Female
1^st Edel O Reilly Hollymount Wheelers
2^nd Laura O Connor Islandeady CC
3^rd Maggie Vahey Galway Tri Club
4^th Aoife O Connor Lough Key Tri club
5^th Michelle Reynolds Liquid Motion Tri Club

Over 40
1^st John Mullin Headford
2^nd Killian Dooley Galway City Harriers
3^rd Chris Troy Grainne Uaile Tri club

Female
1^st Maggie Vahey Galway Tri Club
2^nd Ann Mc Donnell Mayo AC
3^rd Niamh  Donovan Westport Leisure park

Over 50
1^st Jimmy Lawlor Multisport AM Westport
2^nd Sean O Boyle Liquid Motion Tri club
3^rd Brian Clarke Westport Leisure park

Female
1^st Michelle Reynolds Liquid motion Tri club
2^nd Breege Morrin Western Lakes CC
3^rd Catherine Gibbons Westport Leisure park

O60 male
1^st Mattie Donnellan Kilamine

U18
Joseph Walsh Hollymount Wheelers

Relay team
Hession Loughney Hollymount Wheelers

Mixed Relay team
Ann & Paddy Murray Mayo AC

Most Improved
Male David Keane Grainne Uaile Tri Club
Female Sara Creighton Swinford Tri club

Team/ Club Winners
1^st Hollymount Wheelers
2^nd Liquid Motion Tri club Ballina
3^rd Westport Leisure Park

Corporate winners
1^st Ballina Beverages Coke cola
2^nd The HSE
3^rd Allergan Westport

Photos attached

Edel Reilly Hollymount Wheelers Ladies Bridge Signs Ireland West Duathlon series Champion.

Team club winners Hollymount Wheelers

Mens Overall Podium of the Bridge Signs Ireland West Duathlon Series

Photos from the presentation to follow from Forde photography