Decathlon NI Tri-Series

Information from TriathonIreland.com

Groomsport half Ironman took place on Sunday 21st and was part of the Vodafone National Series.

The worthy winner was Aodh O’Neill who continues to put in top class performances which also sees him well placed in the Vodafone National Series. O’Neill was never troubled and once again used his blistering run speed to pull away from the field. Peter Savage took 2nd in 4:40:50 and Kevin Mallett 3rd in 4:50:46.

In the women’s race Sara Hanning was the victor. Hanning exited the water in just over  28 minutes making her one of the fastest swimmers on the day. She backed that up with a 3:03 bike and 1:53 run to be crowned winner in Groomsport. 2nd was Cheryl Cardwell of Triangle Tri Club in 5:37:39 and Rosemary Leith of Wicklow Tri Club was 3rd in 5:39:44.

Results are available at the link below. Full report and photos to follow.

http://www.pioneer-group.co.uk/uploaded_files/File/HalfIremanResults2011.pdf

Photograph courtesy of Triathlon Ireland. All rights reserved.

On Saturday 13th August Omagh Triathlon Club hosted the Tri the Lough Triathlon in Loughmacrory, Co. Tyrone. Out of over 150 athletes competing in the race, Anne Paul and Trevor Woods were the race open winners with a host of age category prizes also presented.

Photos from the event can be viewed here: http://tinyurl.com/3d89d5q

A full list of race results are available here: http://www.omaghtriclub.co.uk/trithelough/results.html

Congratulations to everyone involved in the planning of a very professionally organised race.

Results are in from Top of the Mourne Triathlon. The race was an olympic distance with the 1.5km swim taking place in the clear waters of Carlingford Lough followed by a 40km bike and 10km run which took place in the surrounds of Kilbroney Park.

The mens race was won by Sean Featherstone of Newry tri Club, Michael McCloin of Piranha was 2nd and Alan Bingham of Setanta took 3rd. In the womens race Susie Mackin of Setanta was 1st, Sheena Dullaghan of Setanta 2nd and Claire McEntte 3rd.

Results are available at the link: http://bit.ly/mZ0Dyf

Report from Triathlon Ireland www.triathlonireland.com

In a season that has been blighted by not so wonderful weather – the 2011 version of the Big Splash Triathlon was bathed in sunshine from start to finish, making both the race and the wider Big Splash festival a treat for athletes and spectators alike. This Triathlon Ireland sanctioned event, hosted by the Triangle club, is part of the Decathlon series organised in conjunction with the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, and the River Bann was certainly promoted to tourists in all its glory.

Unlike last year when competitors got a slightly short first leg, the swim was bang on 750m. Even so, eventual winner and TI Junior Squad member, Russell White still managed to break nine minutes and take a substantial lead that he would hold to the finish. Second male home was Alistair Duffield with Carl Russell completing the podium. These three held their positions throughout the race and competed in classic time trial fashion.

The women’s race was more closely fought with Anne Paul taking the win despite having been trailing when out of the water. A great bike leg put her in the lead which she held throughout the run. Judith Lowry had a storming bike section to move through the field and claim second place. The battle for third was incredibly close with Emma Bamford just about holding off Kay Hack to claim a podium place. Emma showing that her run legs had not been left behind in Roth!

Congratulations to all those who took part, especially those who were experiencing their first triathlon. It was certainly one to savour. Thanks go to all those who made the race possible, including the water safety personel, St. John’s Ambulance, PSNI, the numberous marshals and indeed the people of Portglenone who were so hospitable.

Full race results are available here: http://bigsplashtriathlon.com/​results/index.html

The standard distance Causeway Coast Triathlon may have been taking place on Sunday but the kids weren’t going to let the adults have all the fun in Portrush. As part of a regional program, Triathlon Ireland Development Officer, Johnny Davis had worked with the Triangle Club to organise an open water aquathlon suitable for competent swimmers of all ages. The 250m swim and 2k run was greatly enjoyed by all those taking part and it was obvious from the rushed transitions that many had been receiving lessons from parents!

Many thanks to all the water safety personnel, including the RNLI, for hanging around after the adult swim to ensure that the children were excellently cared for. Further events will be announced as the summer progresses.

Results available so far are that Michael Evans took top spot with Chris Surgenor 2nd.

Report from Triathlon Ireland: http://www.triathlonireland.com/index.php?id=107&nid=338

Sunday 19th June 2011 saw the second Spar Causeway Coast Triathlon and the second race in this year’s Decathlon NI Triathlon Series.

Race results are available here and a full race report will be uploaded soon.

Spar Causeway Coast Triathlon male open podium finishers with race director Adam Wilson and Christy Davis from the Pioneer Group

Female open category podium finishers with Christy Davis from the Pioneer Group and Race Director Adam Wilson at the Spar Causeway Coast Triathlon

Race results are available to view by clicking here.

Report by Tony Bagnall

No Doubt about it Saturday’s Crooked Lake Triathlon was the best yet.

In the eight years since its formation the race has improved in leaps and bounds.

And this year with a new transition area, vast swim start and a record 500 participants, enjoying the beautiful scenery plus a massive crowd urging them on through a 750-metre swim, a hilly 20-kilometre bike ride and a 5000-metre run, the anti was upped in magnificent fashion.

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Tri to swim, bike and run your way round Northern Ireland

A triathlon series which saw more than 2,000 competitors run, bike and swim their way across Northern Ireland last year, is back by popular demand.

The Decathlon Northern Ireland Triathlon Series, which is supported by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and Triathlon Ireland, aims to promote the province as an attractive tourist destination and kicks off on June 11.

The six races take place across Counties Antrim, Armagh, Down and Tyrone during June, July and August, using naturally beautiful locations for the races to showcase the Northern Ireland countryside to the rest of the world through a series of pictures and films.

Crooked Lake in Camlough, County Armagh will once again host the first event on June 11 with the Spar Causeway Coast Triathlon a week later on June 19 and the Big Splash Triathlon in Portglenone, County Antrim on July 23.

The sweeping mountains of Mourne will play host to Top of the Mourne Triathlon in Rostrevor, County Down on July 30 with the final two races in August – Tri the Lough Triathlon which takes place in Loughmacrory near Omagh, County Tyrone on August 13 and the Half Ireman in Groomsport, County Down on August 21.

Title Sponsor of the race for the second year running is Decathlon. Ben Sandham, Store Manager of Decathlon Belfast Store said: “Decathlon is delighted to sponsor once again Northern Ireland’s only triathlon series which has been a fantastic success in promoting community involvement and a healthy lifestyle.”

Alan Clarke, Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Tourist Board said: “Popular events such as the Triathlon Series are very important in attracting domestic and international visitors to spend time in Northern Ireland.  Visitors that do come to participate in and watch these events, and the financial benefit they bring, are of vital importance in stimulating growth and delivering economic value to many sectors of the local economy.  I’m pleased NITB is supporting this Triathlon Series through our Events Funding Programme.”

Triathlon Ireland CEO Matt McKerrow said: “Each of the triathlons cover different distances to suit all abilities from the first-timer to the experienced triathlete. From the 750m swim, 20k bike and 5k run in the Crooked Lake triathlon to the ultimate test of fitness of 3.8k swim, 180k bike and 42k run for the Ireman competition, I would encourage anyone looking for a challenge to get involved.”

The Decathlon Northern Ireland Triathlon Series 2010 is also supported by Sport Northern Ireland and the University of Ulster Sports Academy.  Marie Curie is the charity partner for the event.

Decathlon 10k Race & 1k Family Race

The Decathlon Belfast 10k Race & 1k Family Race will take place on Sunday 12th June in conjunction with our charity partner Marie Curie Cancer Care. Please download the sponsorship form and raise money for a charity which really makes a difference.

Entry and sponsorship forms are available at www.pioneer-group.co.uk.
- Free entry for everyone in the 1k family race
- Free gift for all children who take part in the family race
- High value prizes for 10k open and 10k age groups plus spot prizes
Family race is for Under 15 and 10k is for 15 and older.

- Goodie bag worth £25  for all 10k entries

The route will go from the Decathlon Store in Holywood Exchange and out past Kinnegar Army Barracks, and then out and back along the Holywood sea front.

Family Race starts at 9.30am and 10k starts at 10am.

Rob Allan with Decathlon Dedicated Athlete Anne Hannan

Decathlon Belfast are very pleased to announce Anne Hannan has been selected as the latest Decathlon Dedicated Athlete!

Originally a runner, Anne has completed 7 marathons in locations including London, New York and Berlin as well as twice in both Connemara and Belfast (PB 3hrs 48mins in Belfast City Marathon 2008).

Anne then made the move to Triathlon and has just finished her 3rd season in the sport. She trains with Olympian Triathlon Club in Belfast and Maryland Cycle Club in Lisburn. She has completed two Half Ironman distance events, one in Groomsport for the Ireman race (part of our own Decathlon NI Triathlon Series) and the other in Florida where Anne was the winner of her age category for the race.

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