from Padraig Marrey Race Director Westport’s Con Doherty has only participated 3 times in the Harlequin Adventure Duathlon which started 5 years ago, but this was his hardest fought win to date when he had to out sprint the impressive Sean Mc Laughlin also of Westport, both men are Triathletes where Con focuses on short triathlon winning world and European medals at sprint distance, Sean on the other hand is into the longer Ironman triathlons.
In the main race athletes had to complete: 3.5k run, 7k hilly cycle, 8k Booster Mtn trail run, 15k Flat cycle, 3.5k run: Total distance 37kms. Both athletes were head and shoulders above the rest in what was a testing day for all athletes with heavy hail showers battering the athletes all the way up to the Booster station over looking Castlebar. Third home was Noel Gibbons of Partry where he had his own personal battle with Jimmy Lawlor also of Westport who took 4th overall and the over 40’s prize.
In the ladies race in was newcomer from Achill Caroline Mc Loughlin who stole the show with an impressive time of 2:00:31, she finished well clear of Newport’s Betty Walsh and Maggie Heneghan Castlebar filled the podium in third.
First over 40 was Nicole Walsh Tourlestrane.
The shorter Mini Harlequin Duathlon coincided with the main event with a 3.5k run, 15k hilly cycle, 3.5k run: Total distance 22kms.
David Mellett Ballinrobe proved strongest of the men while Cathy Gibbons Western Lakes was the clear winner of the ladies.
Duathlon organisers would like to thanks the Civil Defence, Castlebar’s men shed group, Mayo County Council, Castlebar town council, Castlebar cycle store, the Harlequin hotel and its staff and the Gardai for making the event a success.
Full results on www.redtagtiming.com
Picture and report on https://www.facebook.com/pages/Harlequin-Adventure-Duathlon/179593808735729
Results
Harlequin Adventure Duathlon 37k
1st Con Doherty Westport 1:35:03
2nd Sean Mc Laughlin Westport 1:35:09
3rd Noel Gibbons Partry 1:43:53
Over 40 Jimmy Lawlor Westport 1:44:09
Over 50 Duncan Sclare Foxford 2:06:33
Junior Patrick Coreless 1:45:10
Ladies
1st Caroline Mc Loughlin Achill 2:00:31
2nd Betty Walsh Newport 2:09:16
3rd Maggie Heneghan Castlebar 2:14:48
Over 40 Nicole Walsh Tourlestrane 2:23:34
Harlequin Mini Duathlon 22K
1st David Mellett Ballinrobe 59:56
2nd John Stagg Hollymount 1:03:32
3rd Brendan Mooney Kiltmagh 1:05:02
Junior Luke Walsh Sligo 1:14:32
Ladies
1st Cathy Gibbons Western Lakes 1:05:23
2nd Anne Kavangh Portarlington 1:09:07
3rd Joan Burke Ballinasloe 1:10:56
