Ireland athletes storm the streets of Athlone claiming first prize in many age groups. Sunday July 4th The Waterways Ireland triAthlone European Championships 2010 took place this weekend is Athlone. The age-group races in Athlone gave non-professional athletes the opportunity to qualify for the ITU Triathlon Age Group European Championships. For the Sprint Distance race, athletes swam 350meter down from the pontoon and Olympic Distance athletes completed the same route as the sprint distance athletes but swam further upstream before turning back down river to exit onto the pontoon. The athletes then embarked on the high endurance 20km bike race and then the 20k run for Olympic athletes or 10k for sprint distance to the finish line.
The Irish Athletes faired very well in the age group European Championships with Limerick man, Mike Yelverton scooping first place in the Men’s sprint
16 to 19 age group and James Brady delighted to take 3rd place. Kelly-Ann Speight proudly crossed the finish line in 4th place in the Women’s sprint
20-24 age group title race. Conor Murphy received tremendous support from the crowds as he was first to cross the finish line for the 24-29 age group with Catherine Brown taking 4th place in the women’s race.
The luck of the Irish continued through to the Men’s sprint 30-34 age group that saw three Irish Athletes claim the three top places. Mark Nolan in first, followed by Joe Lynch and Robert Downes in second and third place respectively. Elizabeth Lee and Aoife Lynch continued Ireland’s winning streak in this age group for the women with Lee claiming first and Lynch storming in third.
Cathy Wise was the third woman to cross the finish line in the Women’s sprint 35-39 age group with Anne Paul thrilled to take 4th in the Women’s sprint 45-49 age group.
Ireland’s oldest competing athlete was proud to represent his country at the age of 67. He fed off the crowds support which helped drive himself to a fantastic 5th place in his age group with David Hawcroft, aged 66, scooping 6th place in the same age group.
In the Olympic race, John Reidy took third place in the 18-19 age group.
Ireland faired well in the Olympic 20-24 age group with Sharon O’Hara taking third in her age group and Colin Bolger taking second in the same age group for the men’s. Amy Wolfe battled with Eimear Mullan who finally finished in first and second place respectively while Bryan McCrystal took first place in the men’s Olympic 25-29 age group.
Elena Maslova, who ran for Ireland won a well deserved first place spot in the women’s Olympic 30-34 age group followed shortly by Lisa Horgan who took third place in the Olympic 35-39 age group. Matt Molloy pounded the streets for the last 100 meters of the race winning first place in the men’s Olympic 40-44 age group.
Ireland’s Kay Hack was first to cross the finish line in the women’s Olympic 45-49 age group with Mary Daly following in third place in the same group. Finally in the women’s Olympic 55-59 age group, Joan Griffin took first place with Jim Corbett taking second in the men’s 55-59 age group.
Liam Heavin, CEO of triAthlone Ireland said: “These athletes have shown tremendous stamina throughout the weekend. It was great to see the supporters lining the streets cheering all the athletes on.” He continued, “I would like to thank all the organisers and volunteers throughout the weekend, their help made for a very smooth running event.”
Athletes ran past Athlone’s historical Castle, down and back up Grace Road along the banks of the River Shannon, before crossing into Leinster and onto Church Street where the Finish, Recuperation and Baggage-Drop area is at the Civic Centre Plaza in the shadow of the new Athlone Town Centre.