Waterford Triathlon Club

Wednesday, 6th June 2012

Tramore Metalman Triathlon

Last weekend, amid the hottest day of the year so far, over 130 triathletes descended on Tramore to take part in either the Metalman Sprint or Olympic distance races being held by Transition Events. The Olympic race kicked off first with the swim shortened to approx 1000m for safety reasons as the wind was making the swim difficult. The cycle and run courses were double what the sprint race was but both of these were changed from previous years so were much longer and more of a challenge with the cycle being about 45k and the run 11k. The run was made all the more difficult with the strong headwind which was against them for the length of the beach and the hot sun.

We had 10 club members take part in this race, a few doing this distance for the 1st time. Mark Hayden, who is flat out training for Ironman Austria in a few weeks time, was 1st out of the water in 12.38mins, over 1min ahead of the next swimmer. Emmet Kelly and Paul Ogle, also training for Ironman Austria had only just come back from a 100k training cycle before they lined up at the start line. They both emerged 3rd and 4th respectively with Paul cycling into 2nd place as he headed out on the run. He maintained this position for the run to finish 2nd overall in 2.15.26. Emmet made up some time after posting the fastest run of the day to finish 4th overall in 2.17.57. Noel Ryan, taking part in Ironman Regensberg in a few weeks time finished 7th overall in 2.27.35 with Mark Hayden not far behind in 2.32.50 in 10th place. John Brennan came home in 2.46.23 with Martin Flynn delighted with his 1st Olympic distance race to finish in 2.51.43. Ann Hennebry got overtaken just meters from the finish to be beaten into 2nd place overall in the female race to finish in 3.04.14 with John Moloney next home in 3.20.20. Margo O'Dowd and Liam Power were next home in 3.22.26 and 3.24.49 respectively with Margo picking up a prize for 2nd female overall.

Meanwhile, the sprint race started soon after the Olympic distance competitors were off on their bikes. Kieran Jackson, just 16yrs old, was 1st out of the water in 8min 55secs, over 30secs ahead of the next swimmer, clubmember Eoin Lyons. Kieran lost a bit of time on the bike and got overtaken to return and head out on the run in 2nd place. He ran hard and maintained his position to finish 2nd overall in 1.12.02. Brian Slattery made up a lot of time on the bike and run to finish 6th overall in 1.16.57. Damon Crowley, another Junior at just 15yrs old, also had a fantastic swim to emerge 3rd out of the water but as he does not have the same experience on the bike as others, he lost a bit of time here but was not long in making it back up on the run with one of the fastest times of the day to finish 10th overall in 1.19.18. Kyle Barrett was next home after a strong bike and run to finish 12th overall in 1.19.49. Eoin Lyons lost a bit of time on the bike as cycling is something he is only starting to do and had even borrowed a TT bike for the race. He held his own on the run to finish 14th overall in 1.20.17. Louis O'Carroll was next home in 17th place in 1.23.57 with John Wyse and Gavin Downey both finishing together in 1.27.54. Brian Jacob is almost a pro at triathlons by now, this being this 3rd race this year (in his 1st year of racing!). He was delighted to finish in 1.30.01. It will be shaved legs next! Gerry O'Donoghue was only seconds behind in 1.30.59 with Ronan O'Brien enjoying his first triathlon to finish just behind in 1.31.30. Alan Kavanagh also had a great race to finish in 1.31.46 with Elaine Mullan winning a prize for 3rd female overall in 1.32.00. Jim O'Brien was also doing his 1st race today and finished in 1.34.23 with Olive O'Brien making a comeback to finish 4th lady overall in 1.35.41. James Brown, another newbie to Triathlon was next home in 1.36.24 with Fintan Stanley also enjoying his 1st race to finish in 1.36.27. Lenny Jindrichova was very nervous before the race, especially with the swim but she raced strong to finish in 1.39.41 with Edwina Butler just behind in 1.42.38. Paddy O'Neill and Shane McDonagh were next to finish in 1.44.05 and 1.45.13 with Nigel O'Sullivan in 1.55.09. We would like to take this opportunity to wish Kieran the best of Luck next weekend as he travels to Blenheim in the UK to take part in their triathlon race as part of the Irish Junior Team.

Waterford Triathlon Hook or by Crook

Just a reminder that Waterford Triathlon Club are holding their 7th annual Triathlon in Dunmore East on Sat 16th June. We have over 500 individual competitors from all over Ireland entered with just a few places left for teams and Juniors but entries close on Wed. 6th June. Please see http://www.waterford-triathlon.com for full details.

The race will start from Strand beach at 12noon with a 750m swim. Competitors will then cycle 20k on an out and back course towards Waterford city and finish it off with a 7k run up Killea hill and back out onto the main road, to finish at the park in Dunmore East.

Please be advised that there will be parking restrictions and traffic restrictions once the race is in progress so please allow plenty of time to get to Dunmore East beforehand if you plan to watch the race.