TRIONA MCMENAMIN took a first place at the woman’s race at the Lough Neagh Sprint Triathlon – a result that will certainly stand to her when it comes to the end of season title race for National Series points.
McMenamin (pictured above) came home in Ballyronan, Co Derry, in a time of 1:15:57 on Saturday.
In the Super Series, Aidan Callaghan was the only member there racing in the elite race in which only the top 50 athletes in the country are eligible to compete in. Callaghan was in the top three for the majority of the race until a fall of the bike just 5km from the transition area caused him to drop down the field. Despite this set back Callaghan ran his way back into 4th position in a time of 1.03.50.
In the National Series Sprint race, John Connaghan yet again proved that he is a formidable triathlete. Racing for the fourth weekend in a row, Connaghan couldn’t quite make it four consecutive firsts in his age group but this time had to settle for second.
On Saturday, a large number of members took part in the inaugural Gartan Swim Challenge. There were three distances to choose from, 750m, 1500m and 3,800m. It was a great event and hopefully one that will return and grow year on year.
Club Junior Orlaith Fogarty won the 750m race in 11:27, Brian Sweeny was first home for the club in the 1500m in a time of 28:38 and Siobhan Gallagher was second overall in the 3,800m swim in 53:34.
This weekend is another busy weekend for the 24/7 club. Ironman Copenhagen will be the climax to the season for Damian McGoohan, Pauric Kelly, Margaret Kelly, Sean McFadden and Denis Shiels.
Close to home, Dublin will once again host a triathlon for the second time in three weeks. This time it is the National Olympic Distance Championships. This year it will have a slightly different format, with the Category 1 athletes, also known Super Series athletes, racing separately in what will be the first draft legal bike race on the race circuit.
This will be new ground for some and could prove to be a very exciting and interesting race. The other competitors will race together in the more familiar arrangement. Best of luck to all those competing.
Lough Neagh Sprint Triathlon: Aidan Callaghan 1.03.50 Super Series; John Connaghan 1.14.22 Sprint; Triona McMenamin 1.15.57 Sprint.
Gartan Swim Challenge – 750m
Orlaith Fogarty 11:27; Laura Black 14:31; Kate Black 15:16; Adrian Wasson 15:29 Amy McGill 17:51; Sean McAuliffe 20:23; Colin Dean 23:12
1500m – Brian Sweeney 28:38; Kevin Hennessy 31:01; John McCarron 33:34; Hugo Daly 35:58; Sinead Diver 39:53
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