NWTC to cheer Aileen in Commonwealth Games

North West Triathlon Club members will be cheering on Aileen Reid when she seeks glory in the Commonwealth Games this week.

The club member, who claimed a silver medal at the World Triathlon Series Grand Final in London last year, will compete in the Olympic distance event on Thursday morning.

Aileen finished ninth in the recent World Triathlon Series race in Hamburg and is pleased with her progress following a back injury earlier in the year.


She said: "I am really happy with how things are progressing. I didn't have the greatest winter with a back injury but then got back to training and have improved as the season has gone on. My last two races have been my best this year so I feel in good form."

She added: "The Commonwealth Games is the biggest race of the year for me.

"This is a major championship and I want to put right my experience at the Olympics when things didn't go as I had hoped.

"It's also a chance to represent Northern Ireland for the first time on a world stage and with the event in Glasgow, it is almost like a home Games for us because there is going to be so much support.

"I know I have a lot of family and friends coming over so hopefully that backing can drive me on. The weather conditions should also be in my favour so I'm looking for a good race."

The women's triathlon event will begin at 11am with coverage on BBC television.

Hundreds take City of Derry triathlon challenge

Hundreds of triathletes took part in this year's City of Derry triathlon on Sunday.

Belfast athlete Neville O'Neill, of Olympian Triathlon Club, was the first male to finish, posting a time of one hour, three minutes and seven seconds, followed by Triathlon Ireland's Harry Speers in 1:03:41 and Lorcan Healy of Omagh TC in 1:03:52.

North West Triathlon Club's Maeve Maher-McWilliams won the women's race in 1:14:13, followed by Hi Elbow TC's Laura Wylie in 1:14:28 and Katherine Woods of Triangle TC in 1:15:25.

The relay event was won by Team Hampson which posted a time of 1:03:08.

Around 400 triathletes from across Ireland and beyond competed the sprint distance event organised by NWTC, which consisted of a 750 metre open water swim in the fast flowing River Foyle, a 20 kilometre cycle taking in the city's two road bridges and a five kilometre run taking in city's iconic Peace Bridge.

It was only the second time that the now annual event has been held and many hundreds of people lined the route to cheer on the competitors.

Last year's triathlon was one of the highlights of the City of Culture sports programme, and the race director Paul McGilloway said he was "delighted" with the support shown for it again this year.

"We had a great turnout of participants and enthusiasts who crowded the streets to cheer on our competitors," he said.

"I would like to congratulate everyone who took part in this year's gruelling challenge. So much training and work goes into preparations for race day that crossing the finish line is an achievement in itself, regardless of the time it takes."

He added: "We would like to thank each and every person who helped out over the last few months, weeks and days to make the race such a great success.

"The conditions were  perfect for racing and everything went like clockwork, mainly due to the large amount of helpers and marshals who turned out to lend a hand. We could not have done it without them."

(Photos by Erin Ferry)

For full results log on to www.championchipireland.com/results/

Irish International to race in firmus energy City of Derry Triathlon

Irish international triathlete Harry Speers is to race in Sunday's firmus energy City of Derry Triathlon as he limbers up to represent Northern Ireland at the Commonwealth games later this month.

Harry is expected to join around 500 other contenders who will bring along with their friends and families to enjoy the festivities surrounding the event. As well as displays of spectacular sporting abilities and achievements in cycling, running and swimming, there will be music and free giveaways to keep everyone entertained.

Paul Gilloway, of the North West Triathlon Club (NWTC) and race director, said: “This year’s Triathlon will be a great day out for all the family and I know that the participants are spurred on when they hear lots of cheering and support from the crowds so we hope to see lots of people lining the route. 

“During the day there will be fun activities to celebrate the triathlon and showcase the city as a centre of sporting excellence while displaying the many beautiful landmarks and scenery in the area. If you are looking for something to do on Sunday or will be about the City, please come out and show your support!”

He added: “We are also delighted to have Harry Speers on board and that he has considered the firmus energy City of Derry triathlon a worthy event for his important Commonwealth Games preparations.”

Des Brown, marketing manager of firmus energy, added:  “Last year’s triathlon was a powerful success and we are delighted to be involved again in this special event. We would like to wish everyone taking part good luck in their last few days of training and no matter what time it takes to finish the course - even completing it is a massive achievement!” 

The firmus energy City of Derry Triathlon will take place on 13 July, starting at 10am and comprising of a 750m open water swim in the River Foyle followed by a 20km closed road cycle and culminating in a 5km flat run that takes in key attractions around the City including the iconic Peace Bridge. Winners’ presentations will take place afterwards at the City Hotel.

The full route and details of the event can be found at www.firmusenergyderrycitytriathlon.com and supporters can use #TriDerry to share information, photos and videos from the day.

150 take Foyle plunge ahead of City of Derry Triathlon

More than 150 people took  a dip in the River Foyle last night to test the water ahead of this weekend's annual firmus energy City of Derry Triathlon.

North West Triathlon Club's preparations for the big day are in the final stages as up to 500 competitors gear up for one of the sporting highlights of the year in Derry this Sunday.

More than 150 of the competitors took part in the last official practice swim before the big day on Wednesday night under the watchful eyes of the Foyle Paddlers and in aid of Foyle Search and Rescue.

Younger budding triathletes also got the chance to experience a competitive race in the Foyle in Wednesday’s ‘Buddy Swim’ which partnered a child with an adult participant.

North West Triathlon Club to feature on BBC 2 this weekend

North West Triathlon Club is to feature on BBC 2 as part of a highlights programme on this weekend's ITU World Triathlon Series race in Japan.

A BBC Sport crew filmed club members during open water swim training on Monday night as part of a TV package on triathlon ahead of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow this year.

North West Triathlon Club was chosen due to the success of club member and elite triathlete, Aileen Reid, who will compete in the third ITU World Series event of the season in Yokohama on Sunday.

BBC Sport presenter Sonali Shah said she had “a lovely day of filming” with the club at Creggan Reservoir on Monday.

North West Triathlon Club secretary Paddy McLaughlin said the club was honoured by the coverage.

“Derry was chosen as the location for the Northern Ireland coverage for the programme due to the membership of Aileen Reid who is one of the world's top triathletes. We're all very proud of our very own Olympian, who was last season ranked eighth female in the ITU world standings. As a result of her well earned success the profile of our club and interest in the sport locally has soared.

“Membership has more than doubled in the past few years due to the success of Aileen internationally and the ever growing popularity of the sport as a whole. More than 70 club members attended the first open water swim training of the season in Creggan Country Park reservoir on Monday and it was great to see the sun come out for the visit of the camera crew and BBC presenter Sonali Shah.

“The footage is due to be televised on BBC 2 on Sunday as part of the Triathlon World Series highlights programme which starts at 4.30pm. Unfortunately the show clashes with GAA coverage on BBC NI but will be shown across all other BBC regions and will further raise the profile of our club.”

2013 Liam Ball Champions retain their titles

Last years Liam Ball Triathlon winners powered home to retain their titles in Derry on Sunday.

Belfast triathlete Paul Carroll of Olympian Triathlon Club and Caoimhe Ni Mhurchu of Sligo TC finished the 750 metre swim, 20k cycle and 5k run in fine style at the 29th instalment of the sprint event.

Carroll stormed to victory in a impressive time of 1:00:11 with Bernard McCullagh of Go Tri Triathlon Club in second, posting a time of 1:00:35. North West Triathlon Club's Aaron Deane put in a stellar performance to open his 2014 triathlon season, clinching the third podium spot in 1:01:46.

Ni Mhurchu was the first female finisher for the second year running, posting a superb time of 1:09:26. North West Triathlon Club's Maeve Maher McWilliams got her season off to a fantastic start with a second place finish in 1:10:29 while Adele Neill of Larne AC took the final podium place, posting 1:13:24.

Around 200 triathletes lined out for Sunday's Total Cycling Liam Ball Sprint Triathlon which got underway at 8.30am with the first of six waves.

There were some very strong performances from local triathletes. NWTC's Daniel Quigley finished seventh overall, posting 1:04:08 while there were several other club members among the top 20 finishers.

There were also many novices and first time triathletes taking who put in impressive performances alongside the elite and seasoned competitors. Veterans such as Terry Donnelly and Danny Sheerin who have taken part in all of the annual Derry pool triathlons at Templemore Sports Complex kept their records alive while Roisin Lynch completed her 28th Liam Ball event in fine style.

Congratulating the winners, Race Director Patrick McLaughlin said the event was "huge success".

"Once again we have enjoyed a hugely successful and safe Liam Ball Sprint Triathlon. There were some fantastic performances today right throughout the six waves, from the overall winners Paul an Caoimhe and the triathletes who posted PBs to those taking part in the event for the first time. 

"As always the atmosphere at the event was electric despite the rain showers and we'd like to thank everyone who turned out to support the triathletes and make he event extra special. A special word of thanks must go to all the marshals who volunteered their time to stand in the rain and ensure the safety of all the competitors as well as cheering them on when they needed it most. Without the marshals and the others who gave up their time we could not have staged the event at all."

North West Triathlon Club will now focus on organising it next big event, the firm us energy City of Derry Triathlon in July.

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B7tuGnlc5lDZMHhFS014el95RnM/preview?pli=1

2014 TotalCycling.com Liam Ball Triathlon Results

Hi folks finally the results.

Well done to everyone today in what where at some stages tropical conditions. Anyway well earned rest now for you all & here are the results, more news later

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7tuGnlc5lDZMHhFS014el95RnM/edit?usp=sharing