www.triathlonireland.com A great weekend’s racing in Valentia, and Fingal. Well done to all race organisers and competitors.
Please note that these results are provisional.
Results for Fingal
Results for Valentia Race Report for Valentia
Another fantastic day on Valentia Island for the third Ulster Bank Valentia Island Triathlon. 320 competitors lined up at 4pm comprising 36 relay teams and 212 solo competitors. Athletes included Amy Wolfe, back to defend her 2006 female winner title, as well as returning athletes and local names David Egan, Mark O’Sullivan and Colm Egan who put in strong performances. The event was blessed with perfectly calm, albeit a little chilly, waters and glorious sunshine which attracted a large turnout. Light drizzle turned into a heavy downpour towards the end of the race encouraging onlookers and participants into the Royal Hotel where the results were announced at 7pm.
There were no accidents which was a tribute to local volunteers directed by Pat O’Shea who marshalled the route. Civil Defence, RNLI, Coastguard, Moriarty Dive School, Gardai (directed by Tom O’Conor), the Naval Service (LE Eithne was in attendance) and the Valentia Island Ferry all made significant contributions to ensure the event was safely managed.
All records were smashed this year. Lisa Horgan (Limerick Tri Club) – who was the Race Referee last year – won for the ladies coming in at 67 minutes, followed by Ellen Vitting and Joyce Wolfe (Cork Tri Club), who narrowly beat her sister, and last years female winner Amy Wolfe. The overall winner was Art MacManusa (Belpark) at 57 1/2 minutes, followed by Liam Dunne (also Belpark) and Paul Hickey (Cork Tri Club).
Cahirciveen fielded the winning relay team with Frances Lynch, Tom Lynch and Brendan King with a very strong time of 67 minutes followed by local GP Brian O’Donovan’s team including John Conroy and Fionan Murphy.
Names to watch – a relay team comprising two 16 year old’s from Cork Leanne Shanahan and Michael Dineen came in at 73 minutes which placed them 31st overall.
The event is in aid of Valentia Island Community Hospital who thank Ulster Bank, all participants, as well as the many others who helped to make this event happen. First estimates are that the event raised 10,000 euro for the hospital.
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Race Report from Fingal
The previous nights down pour was drying off, but the great weather of the start of the week was on a break. This didn’t dampen the spirits of 300 entrants to one of the traditional early season races. First off was the childrens aquathon, with over 50 children entered this year. This event was a success with great enthusiasm and spirit from all, and some great talent there for the future. This is an area of the sport that we have to focus on and nurture in the coming years. Thanks to 3D Tri and Fingal CC for putting on a quality children’s event for the last few years.
The sprint distance event stated with the first wave off at 10:30. As usual lots of first timers were using this event to cut their teeth on the Triathlon racing scene. All three waves went off smoothly, and the sun finally came out as people started to finish. First over the line was Colin Bolger (Triathlon Ireland Development Squad and Pulse Triathlon Club), followed by Owen Dwyer (Triathlon Ireland Development Squad and Belpark), with John Caffery (Belpark) making up third place. The women’s race was won by Elena Maslova (Piranha), with Deirdre O’Toole (Belpark), and Deborah Meghen (Wicklow) taking second and third respectively.
Jean Daly, who, in last years Fingal race, was the first wheel chair athlete to compete in Triathlon in recent years, returned to greatly improve her time. Jean has done a lot of work to promote the sport amongst wheel chair athletes and we hope to have many more compete over the summer – especially as Ireland have more than doubled the number of hand cycles in the country.
The Triathlon Ireland, ‘New to Triathlon’, program had over 30 first time athletes in the race. The looks on people’s faces as they crossed the line said it all. The program was designed to show that Triathlon can be participated in, and enjoyed, by all. This event proved this. Well done to all first timers and good luck with the other races you’ve got planned.
Thanks to 3D Triathlon Club for putting on a very well run event, and for all their work in promoting the sport to a wide audience, especially for their work with the’New to Triathlon’ program.
