Winter 5k Series (All Races)

The course proved to be very successful and there many vantage points for the spectators who cheered the competitors on. Photos and race times can be viewed on NWTC web and facebook pages. The triathlon club would like to say thank you to all who took part in this first race and for making it a success.

Race 1 Results Race1 Results  |  Race 1 Results.pdf
Race 2 Results Race 2 Results  |  Race 2 Results.pdf
Race 3 Results Race 3 Results  |  Race 3 Results.pdf
Race 4 Results Race 4 Results  |  Race 4 Results.pdf

Ironman 70.3 Galway 2012

Sunday morning in Galway brought a 4am start for the 9 NWTC athletes tackling Ironman 70.3 as buckets of porridge were served up with side orders of tingly nerves and numerous toilet trips. NWTC guru and Ironman transition referee Karl greeted us at 5.30am with the usual calm detail on how to manage our race as people nervously organised their gear trying not to be too nosy at the camera crew following Boy zone’s star Keith Duffy’s every move. 1500 like minded lunatics lined up to tackle Ironman 70.3 as the Pro’s entered the water for a 7am start. David Harkin was the first NW man into action and having only signed up for Galway 2 weeks ago David’s concerns about the swim leg were quickly realised as half way through a bout of projectile vomiting and an “over anxious” female canoe marshal threatened to end his race. However having left an unpleasant trail for his fellow athletes David convinced the marshal he would not drown and continued on belligerently for shore (slowly and followed all the way by the rightly vigilant canoe lady! Returning Galway 70.3 veteran Dermot Connolly, who had spent the week consuming every available calorie, regardless of whose plate it was on, was next in to tackle what proved to be a long swim leg with GPS’s measuring it at over 2.1k. Conor Mulkerns, Mick McBride, Austin Cutliffe, Stephen Canavan, Alastair Laird and Paul McMenamin all followed into the calm waters of Galway Bay but it was the fast swimming Dawson Hinds who posted the quickest NW swim exiting the water in 36.28 and 12th in his age group. The long run to transition and mandatory nod to Karl was followed by an out and back bike leg to Connemara which was well supported all along the picturesque route. Mick McBride was fastest NW man posting a blistering 2hrs 30.03 for a top 10 age group bike split. The other 8 NW lads negotiated the bike leg incident free and with good times under everyone’s respective belts and another nod to Karl it was full steam ahead (well maybe 50% steam ahead) onto the well supported 3 lap half marathon run course. Sparta man Dermot Connolly tore it up posting a 1.37:24 whilst the others adopted an array of tactics. These largely turned out to be mostly survival tactics as the Ironman toil started to grip! Mick McBride posted a 1:46.53 whilst Ali Laird’s (2:04:41) brilliant effort on the bike resulted in him leaving his quads in transition and the inevitable painful run ensued Paul Mc’s (1:47:13) Plan A to run 10miles steady and then kick for home received various amendments and ended up as Plan Z = Don’t Walk! Stephen Canavan did a 2:04:53 competing on home turf whilst Cutliffe hung in bravely on his first half marathon for a 2:14:18 Mulkerns (2:02:02) and Harkin (2:10:21) battled on manfully but Hinds (2:26:11) proved the master tactician.

 

The Tri God’s decreed that as the big fell was beginning to crack on lap 2 they would send former Miss World and relay team member Miss Rosanna Davidson gracefully past. Reports suggest that Dawson only had enough juice to draft the shapely Miss Davidson for 400mtrs and that he was busted following this effort but was sufficiently stimulated to make it proudly to the finishing line. All 9 NW starters, 7 of which were Ironman rookies, finished safely (and beat Keith DuffyJ) and really enjoyed what was a very tough but worthwhile experience. Big thank-you to our small but dedicated band of supporters who gave all 9 guys great support and kept our spirits high when the demon doubts came calling!
Summary Finishing Times Below.

Name Overall Time Age Group Pos Overall Pos

 Mick McBride 5:05:27 12 85

Dermot Connolly 5:21:56 8 177

Paul McMenamin 5:30:28 33 251

Conor Mulkers 5:48:57 101 425

Alastair Laird 5:57:36 74 490

Austin Cutliffe 6:01:07 77 522

Stephen Canavan 6:04:57 82 552

Dawson Hinds 6:05.55 86 558

David Harkin 6:19:17 72 648

Ironman Nice 2012

Race plan: Take my time – enjoy it – and Finish! Race morning – First Ironman – why France? Maybe I should have gone for one with less heat and hills! Even Lance had pulled the plug! Start Lined up for 6.30 start at rear of field as sun came up – figured be clearer water and less boxing on way round! Pre-race nerves on beach disappeared as Team Hoyt (look up on Youtube) lined up just yards away - ultimate inspiration! Swim 1.19 Relief for feet to get off pebbled beach and into water. Med was like a warm bath – clear n calm blue water (bit like the Swilly – not!) - but spoilt a bit by sharing it with 2500 other thrashing people. When clear water finally appeared - started at back of mayhem. Had a pretty uneventful and even relaxing swim (apart from a few minor bumps). Picked way round slower swimmers and followed feet where I could - only real congestion at turns and before I knew it first lap (2.4k) was done. Then out over the pebbles again (ouch!) and in for second lap (1.4k). Picked up pace a bit till hit traffic in last few hundred meters before swim exit – next thing was being dragged out of water onto blue carpet by volunteer.

Bike 7.18 Plan was to take easy - spin up the hills and save legs for the run. My knowledge of the bike course was it's mainly up-hill for the first 70km and it was 'supposed' to be fast for the last 40km. First 20k flat – and then to the climbs – temperature by now in low 30s. Main climb (Col de l'Ecre) – 21k long grinding slog in brutal heat to the top was endless – only broken by cheering crowds at few small villages. Soon learned that looking up the mountain was not a good idea – seeing the snake of bikes in front climbing switchbacks forever upwards - Close as I’ll ever get to riding Tour de France! Monitored my slow (or what felt like backwards) progress as road was marked with kilometre intervals to top. Finally over the summit – fast descents and two more shorter and less strenuous climbs and the worst of the bike was over. The descents were great fun (fantastic views – pity had no time to take in!). I passed plenty on way down whilst trying not to think of the sharp drops over the side – and noted several ambulances with casualties and a few bikes in bits! Last 20k back to Nice were to be easy – and time to rest the legs. No chance – full on into a bloody headwind! Run 4:17 Finally on to what is normally my best bit! Temperature now in mid 30s – plan was to keep hydrated and cool – and walk only through the aid stations and showers. Course was out/back along the main promenade in Nice - four laps of just over 10k each. Taking easy on bike paid off - legs felt great! Crowds and volunteers were fantastic - began to knock off laps around the hour mark. Still running on last lap (at reasonable pace) – waiting for wheels to come off – but thankfully they stayed firmly on! Noted that around me there were now more walkers than runners – and the ambulances and casualties were numerous. Final lap done - and having passed finish chute three times already - it was now my turn to head for the finishing line – and with family in tow crossed the line in 13.17! Ironman France was very well organised and an experience of lifetime! Bike course was brutal – but in my book one not to be missed for the views alone! Now on to the next one!

Spalding Liam Ball Triathlon 2012

SPALDING Liam Ball Sprint Triathlon, National Series, Sunday 20^th May 2012


Photo's
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.357195544343234.80046.100001583741375&


Nearly 190 competitors challenged each other over the Spalding Liam Ball Sprint Triathlon course, the largest entry yet in the history of the race organised by the NorthWest Triathlon Club. 30 lengths, 750m, of the pool were followed by a long transition down to the racked bikes before cycling towards Letterkenny. After completing the 20km cycle, bikes were deposited and athletes entered the final 5km run leg. The huge turnout provided top quality racing and exciting viewing for the numbers of spectators.

The men’s race saw defending champion Brian Campbell claim pole position in 1hr 1min 1sec. His phenomenal run time, 16mins 23seconds for 5km, boosted him to leading position and regain his title, winner of the Spalding Liam Ball, for a second year. Stephen Teeling Lynch had the fastest bike leg, 31 mins 31secs, and was second across the line in a total time of 1hr 2mins and 17secs. Claiming third position in the men’s race was Steven Beggs in a time of 1hr 4mins 5secs.

The women’s race started early in the day being let off in the second wave at 9.35am. Vanessa Fenton was first woman home in a time of 1hr 10mins 31secs, her consistently strong three phases proved to be a winner over the Spalding Liam Ball course. Second in was Judith Lowry, with the quickest bike and run time of the ladies, she finished in a total time of 1hr 11mins 08secs. Sinead Roche was third to cross the line in 1 hr 11mins 36secs.

Northwest Triathlon members did the club very proud. Daniel Quigley was the first home taking the first Local Male trophy and second in his age group. An impressive debut race from the Spaniard, Alvaro San Miguel saw him claim third in this age group and second home for the club. Emmett Mullan, Stephan Ballard, Jarlath Fearon, Frankie Dunlop and Peter McLaughlin all showed determination and a competitive spirit claimed prizes in their respective age groups.

Northwest Triathlon women also picked up a number of prizes in the Spalding Liam Ball. First women home for the club Maeve Maher-McWilliams took home the Local Lady’s trophy and second in her age group. Joanne Doran had a strong race claiming first position in her age group. Aoife Logan, Karen Cutliffe, Miriam McFadden and Roisin Lynch all put in great race performances taking placings in their age groups. Roisin was also awarded the new Colm Quigley Cup for Spirit of the race having completed 26 of the 27 annual Liam Ball races.

Two other regulars completing the event were Terry Donnelly and Danny Sheerin who have completed every one of the 27 Liam Ball races. Danny also took third in his age group. A great atmosphere and great racing all round made the 27^th Spalding Liam Ball one to remember and one to bring the crowds back to next year.

2012 National Duathlon Championships

National Duathlon ChampionshipsRESULTS
NorthWest Overall v3.pdf
Northwest Category V4.pdf


SHORT COURSE RESULTS 2012
Short Course overall v1.pdf
Short Course Category v1.pdf


Map links for Duathlon:


Standard Run 1: 1 lap anti-clockwise


http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/5705155


Bike Course (Standard and Short Course) 5 Laps Anti-clockwise Standard, 2 Laps Short


http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/5705229


Standard Run 2: 1 Lap Clockwise


http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/5705321


Short Course Run 1: 1 Lap One & Back


http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/29871882


Short Course Run 2: 1 Lap One & Back


http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/29872064