Participants will range from top elite athletes to new entry triathlons and even Boyzone star Keith Duffy Arrangements are being well advanced for Europe’s largest city park triathlon, the Gatorade Dublin City Triathlon on August 28th next, with entry now open to the public.
The event, which will use the wide open expanse of the Phoenix Park, will attract triathletes from across the 32 counties and, indeed, from Europe and beyond. It comprises two races – the standard Olympic distance race (1,500m swim, 40km bike and 10km run) plus the super sprint (600m swim, 16km cycle and 4km run), aimed new entries to the sport.
Among the agegroup athletes competing will be newly converted triathlon fan Boyzone and Coronation Street star Keith Duffy.
With the popularity of the sport growing and awareness of the quality of Irish triathlon events spreading internationally, this year’s event is further indication of the tourism possibilities ahead for Ireland from the sport. Evidence of this is Geoffrey Gearing, from the UK, who will travel over for the Gatroade Dublin City Triathlon to compete in the 75 -79 year old age category – proof also that triathlon suits all ages.
“I’ve always wanted to return to Dublin for a holiday with my wife since working for Aer Lingus. My first visit 33 years ago involved flying in, enjoying a nervous lunch with the airlines top brass before the interview and flying back to Heathrow. Linking a holiday with a race in the Republic seems like ideal planning,” he said.
Geoffrey was first attracted to the sport as a way of keeping fit in his retirement. He also feels that triathlon is a “competitor friendly” sport that brings together all ages, all shapes, sizes and abilities together, with both the elite and non-elite triathletes often competing on the same course.
Looking ahead to the Dublin event, Matt McKerrow, CEO of Triathlon Ireland said: “Triathlon has seen a huge growth in recent years with membership in Triathlon Ireland up to almost 6,000. I think people are beginning to see that anyone can do a triathlon now that many races offer a variety of distances. Dublin City Triathlon is a great race in a great location and it’s perfect for people looking to do their first triathlon or for the more experienced triathletes. It really finishes the season off on a high note,”
Vodafone Ireland, who recently announced a three year sponsorship deal with Triathlon Ireland, will have a significant presence at this year’s event. 65 employees will be competing in an effort to beat the Vodafone Directors, racing in the Super Sprint against two teams comprising members of Vodafone’s executive board. Anne O’Leary, Vodafone Ireland’s Business & Enterprise Director, and an accomplished triathlete in her own right, commented: "There is a great sense of excitement within Vodafone about Dublin City Triathlon. Competitive streaks are starting to show and there is some serious training taking place. We are extremely proud to be the first company to have come on board as official sponsor of the sport’s governing body."
Organising Ireland’s only city-based triathlon requires ongoing commitment of sponsors and the volunteer race committee, headed up by Race Director John Wallnutt, who commented: “We are delighted to welcome back title sponsors Gatorade to support this club run event again. It is terrific to have Gatorade on board and helping to grow the sport in Ireland and worldwide. It would also be impossible to organise an event of this complexity without the countless Piranha club members who set up and marshal the race. Not to mention the organising committee who have been working solidly behind the scenes for the last 9 months in their spare time. And of course without the help of the Gardaí, the Office of Public Works, members of the Irish Defence Forces, Triathlon Ireland, Dublin Bus and many other groups too numerous to mention, there would be no race at all.”
Both sprint and standard distance races follow the same Swim/Bike/Run format. The swim section takes place in the upper Liffey; home to many of Dublin’s rowing clubs. The cycle takes place on traffic-free, closed roads in the city’s Phoenix Park and the final section will see competitors run off-road into the heart of the park before crossing the finish line on Chesterfield Avenue. The entire event is spectator-friendly with several opportunities for supporters to spot their friends or family members along the course.
This year’s event takes place on Sunday 28th August. Athletes can enter online at www.dublincitytriathlon.com. For more information please email info@dublincitytriathlon.com or visit www.dublincitytriathlon.com