Portlaoise Sprint Try-athlon is a brand new event on the National Triathlon calendar. The race, which will take place Easter Saturday (11 April), comprises three parts, a swim of 750 metres, a cycle of 20km and a run of 5km.
The event is open to all, but has been particularly designed for anyone racing their first event – either as a team or as individuals. The short-distance, pool-based swim makes an ideal dry run for longer events outdoors later in the season, and will help anyone preparing for outdoor events like TriAthy later in the Summer.
The race course is relatively flat, taking competitors out and back along the old Dublin road for the cycle leg, returning to complete the run over country lanes local to the town.
The event is the first Triathlon Ireland competitive triathlon in Laois, and the organisers hope the central location makes the event accessible to all. The race is organised by Trilogy Triathlon, who are co-organisers of TriAthy, Irelands biggest race in 2007 and 2008, and The Heritage Challenge, a local event in Laois since 2004.
Portlaoise Sprint Try-athlon is open to individuals and team entries. Individual entrants complete all three legs to finish the race; team entrants enter as a relay with one member each completing the swim, the bike and the run.
While there are no restrictions on who may enter the race, Trilogy Triathlon Club (local club in Portlaoise) have carefully designed the race and course to particularly suit beginners.
The swim, which takes place in a pool allows novice racers to complete a triathlon without needing to worry about swimming outdoors or with a wetsuit. Both the bike course and the run course are on quiet roads and will be well marshalled by an experienced crew of Race Marshals who will guide and direct you through the course. Finally, we are confident that the pricing structure and the central location of the race makes the event accessible to participants from all over Ireland.
More details on www.trilaois.ie
