There was another busy week of action for the Letterkenny Triathlon team at the Standard Distance National Championships. Full round-up below.
Club notes:
Just a week on from the National Middle Distance championships at our very own Sheephaven Half, it was the turn of Harbour man Triathlon in Wicklow to host the Standard Distance National Championships.
For the second year in a row, Harbour man Triathlon had perfect race conditions with competitors treated to flat calm seas, light winds and great temperatures throughout the day.
Just eight days after his age category winning performance John Connaghan was back in racing action.
After a rolling swim start, John exited the water within a great time of 27:20.
As always John went on to have a strong bike split of 1:04:43 before finishing with a solid 10k time of 43:39.
John crossed the line in a fantastic time of 2:14:48, placing 2nd in his M55-59 age category- another fabulous result for John!
Natasha Kelly took part in last weekend’s Sheephaven Half as part of a relay team and her great swim set her up well to conquer the Wicklow waters.
Natasha had a brilliant swim exiting in 27:57 before completing the bike course in 1:11:02. Natasha is always super strong on the run leg and Sunday was no different, she finished with a superb 40:34 10k to cross the finish line in a total time of 2:21:22.
Sheephaven Swim 4k
Closer to home on Saturday, Portnablagh was the setting for the annual and very popular Sheephaven Swim.
Organised by Gartan Open water swimmers this event has gone from strength to strength each year and bumper crowds took part in the 1.25k and 4k swims.
In the longer distance, our 24/7 member and Sheephaven Half race director Aidan Callaghan was in racing action. Aidan is on the road to recovery from a recent injury that forced him out of Ironman Cork but on Saturday he had a fantastic swim and was crowned overall winner of the 4k distance event in a superb time of 59:34.
Siobhan Brennan also had a fantastic swim and finished 2nd female overall in 1:03:06.
Patrick Patton, just a week after his Sheephaven Half triumphs had a fantastic swim and finished the 4k distance in 1:19:24.
Niamh McDaid is a consistently strong swimmer and she clocked a brilliant time of 1:22:38. Margaret Kelly, back in action after winning her age category at the National championships in Sheephaven swam very well to finish in 1:30:12.
Tom Murray and Eamonn Patton are also upping the preparation for their upcoming Ironman in Copenhagen and used Saturday to get some swim miles in. Both swam very well with Tom finishing in 1:35:39 and Eamonn clocking a brilliant time of 1:47:49.
Feena McBride had a fantastic swim to finish in a brilliant 1:51:34. Karl Bonner also swam well and clocked a brilliant time of 2:05:50 for the event.
Sheephaven Swim 1.25k
In the 1.25k event, it was 24/7 Junior members to the fore. 2nd Male overall in this distance was our club member Jack Nee, finishing in a very impressive 21 minutes. Adam McKinley also had a superb swim, finishing in a brilliant 22:22 ahead of his auntie Anne Robinson who completed the swim in a brilliant 24:30.
Brian Gormley swam very well clocking a time of 27:11. Just ten second separated Martina O’Donnell and Chairman Liam Tinney, both swimming brilliantly in 27:23 and 27:33 respectively. Marnie Duffy also had a fantastic swim clocking a time of 28:08 for the 1.25k event.
Weekly 5k Roundup
Raphoe 5k
At last weeks Raphoe 5k Gavin Crawford got back to racing action after the recent disappoint of Ironman Cork, he had a great run and finished in 17:34.
Aidan McFadden also ran very well clocking 21:10 on the night. Terence Quinn had a fantastic run on home turf and crossed the line in 22:08. Niamh Gibbons had another brilliant 5k and clocked 22:17 on the 5k course. Keith Fletcher made a welcome return to racing and finished in a super 22:22.
Just 3 seconds separated Keith and Desiree Casburn who is ever improving after a return to running; Desiree crossed the line in 22:25. Raj Mehan also ran well finishing in 26:20.
Junior Update
On Monday night the club hosted a fantastic junior swim event. We were overwhelmed with the turnout on what was a wet and miserable night at Gartan Lake. Over 50 junior swimmers conquered swimming in Gartan Lake. Well done to everyone who took part and thank you and well done to Junior committee and everyone who helped in any way.
On Friday night we host the kids Junior Aquathon- everyone welcome- see Facebook for more information.
Quarterly Swim Prepayment
The Quarterly swim payment is now due for those that prepay for the Club Swim session- this can be paid at Wednesdays swim session.
Saturday Swim
There will be no Saturday Swim sessions due to numbers over the Summer months. Saturday sessions will recommence in September.
Get Well Soon
We would like to wish club member Cathal Roarty a speedy recovery from his recent bike crash.
Club Notes
All members are encouraged to contact club PRO Fiona McDaid if they are competing in events and want to be included in club notes. It is great to see so many members take part in events each week so please submit your results. Results can be sent to 0879044287.
Club Training
Club training continues as follows:
Monday: Gartan Open water sessions. In the water for 6.30 SHARP. Please see email for more information on the rules of Open water sessions at Gartan.
Tuesday: Run sessions will take place predominantly in Letterkenny Town Park. Warm up at Town Park at 6.30pm; session starts at 6.50pm SHARP. Meeting point is the chapel at St. Conal’s.
Wednesday: Swim session- Novice 7-8pm, Intermediate/Advanced 8-9pm
Thursday: Brick/TT Session-11thh July Brick Session
Marshals: Labhaoise Maguire, Carol McCabe
Saturday: Club cycle from Aura at 8am- All members must have front and rear lights to take part in the club session.
Full Results
Base2Race Harbourman Triathlon
BMW Triathlon Ireland Standard Distance National Championships
John Connaghan 2:14:48 2nd M55-59
Natasha Kelly 2:21:22
Sheephaven Swim 4k
Aidan Callaghan 59:34 1st
Siobhan Brennan 1:03:06 2nd Female
Patrick Patton 1:19:24
Niamh McDaid 1:22:38
Margaret Kelly 1:30:12
Tom Murray 1:35:39
Eamonn Patton 1:47:49
Feena McBride 1:51:34
Karl Bonner 2:05:50
Sheephaven Swim 1.25k
Jack Nee 21:00 2nd Male
Adam McKinley 22:22
Anne Robinson 24:30
Brian Gormley 27:11
Martina O’Donnell 27:23
Liam Tinney 27:33
Marnie Duffy 28:08
Raphoe 5K
Gavin Crawford 17:34
Aidan McFadden 21:10
Terence Quinn 22:08
Niamh Gibbons 22:17
Keith Fletcher 22:22
Desiree Casburn 22:25
Raj Mehan 26:20
