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Duathlon and Family Fun Run
On Wednesday evening, Triangle
Triathlon Club hosted the first in its series of ‘TRY’ events – Short
Multisport Races which are aimed at newcomers. The first event of the
evening was a Family Fun Run, a one mile run in Castleroe Woods for
kids and their parents. First home was Matthew Wray, who won the Over
12’s race in 6:00, closely followed by Michael Evans in 6:05 winning
the Under 12’s race. Clare O’Connor was first girl home in 6:55,
with Roisin McKeegan second in 8:57, closely followed by Amy
Cairns (9:07) and Simone Murphy (9:09). Second in the over 12’s race
was Owen Wright with Jack Kendall third. Special congratulations to
Conor Kendall, who won the Under 7 event in 9:16 and to fist mum home,
Heather Cairns who completed the course in 9:27.
Whilst the kids and parents were enjoying their rewards for the Fun Run, the main event of the evening, the Duathlon got underway. The duathlon comprised of a 4k run in Castleroe Woods, after which the competitors took to their bikes for the 9 mile cycle along the Curragh Road. They then returned to the woods for another 1500m run. First home was Jonathon Dempsey in a blistering time of 37:11, showing the newcomers how it should be done; but the focus of the evening was competitors having their first go at such events. Gerry O’Doherty (Springwell Running Club) took an early lead in the first run, but was overtaken on the bike by Demspey, Gary Kendall (Bann Wheelers) and Adam Wilson. Wilson and Kendall entered the second transition together, but Wilson had the faster second run and was first senior home in 42:11. Kendall managed to hold on to the lead he had gained on the bike to come in as first vet in 42:48, shortly followed by O’Doherty (43:46). There were other strong performances by Triangle Triathlon Club atheletes, Johnny Goldie (44:14), Conal Heatley (44:37) and Simpson McGrath (44:38). The event was probably a bit short for these athletes as McGrath and Heatley are both in the middle of training for Ironman events this summer, whilst Goldie has just returned from an Ultra-marathon in South Africa.
The first ‘newbie’ Senior athlete home was Johnny Graham followed by Brian Loughton with Andy McCormick third.
The ladies race was set up to
be hotly contested between Springwell Running Club members Alison
Rankin, Catherine Henry and Clare Egan. Rankin was first into
transition but with Henry close behind as both girls headed out onto
the bike course. Henry discovered a hidden talent for cycling and had
managed to gain over a minute on Rankin as they went into
transition for the second time. Henry held onto her lead through
the second run to take the ladies race in 45:49. Clare Egan was first
Female Vet (53:26). Ryan Bratten was first Junior rider in 50:03,
whilst a special commendation went to Chris Surgeoner who at 11 years
old was the youngest competitior, completing the course in 1:01:05.
The club would like to thank
the Forestry Commission for allowing us to use Castleroe Woods for the
event, and the PSNI for their support of the race. The next event in
the series is an Aquathon (400 swim and 5 k run) at the Joey Dunlop
Leisure Centre, Ballymoney on Wednesday 7th May