Sean Mc Loughlin Westport AC adds to his long list of victories with another dominant performance at the Land of the Giants Duathlon. Sean had a fierce battle with the relay teams with first the runners getting ahead of him and then near the end the super strong cyclists had him hauled back to keep him under pressure right to the finish line. In the end Sean could easily have relaxed as the relay teams had their own competition and Sean had a comfy 2 minutes to spare over Donegal Bay CC brothers Darragh and Paul Mc Carter who were also in the individual race.
Multi Irish champion Heather Foley had a runaway victory in the ladies event with 5 minutes to spare over Mary Corless Trilakes TC, local Claremorris lady Paula Prendergast back in third.
In all it was a great day for the town with a massive crowd of 400 participants making it the biggest Duathlon in Ireland.
For the elites it was a post Christmas blow out and for everyone else its was a chance to catch up with old friends and enjoy a jog and a cycle around the beautiful amenities that Claremorris has to offer.
The weather on the day could not have been any better with temperatures in the double digits, no wind and the warm winter sunshine making for a very enjoyable day for both the participant and the large attendance watching.
Spectators thronged the course and were a huge boost to all the competitors as well as giving great business back to the local shop owners.
As one shop owner said ” it was just a terrific day for the townof Claremorris… its buzzing”
Prize winners on the day
1st Sean Mc Loughlin Mayo AC 53:44
2nd Darragh Mc Carter Donegal Bay CC 55:03
3rd Paul Mc Carter Donegal Bay CC
Females
1st Heather Foley Sligo Tri 57:49
2nd Mary Corless Tri Lakes TC 1:02:40
3rd Paula Prendergast Mayo AC 1:02:52
Unplaced Over 40
1st Male John Mullin 56:43
1st Female Colette Touhy Mayo AC 1:04:21
Unplaced O 50
1st Male Jimmy Lawlor Multisport Westport 58:23
1st Female Deirdre Dillion Ballinsloe Road Runners 1:10:26
1st Unplaced over 60 Michael Cusack Westport Leisure Park 1:03:29
1st Unplaced Junior (U18) Joesph Walsh Hollymount Wheelers 1:06:40
Relay teams
1st All Male Clavin/ Murtagh Tubbercurry 54:45
1st All Female Sutherland/ English Hollymount Wheelers 1:05:51
1st Mixed Clarke/ Croghan Claremorris 1:06:35
Big thanks to our sponsors and supporters
Main Sponsors of the event is Dixon& Dever project development services Ltd.
Category Sponsors of the event:
· The Mc William park hotel
· Hegarty’s Centra
· Flynn’s Pharmacy Across form finish line
· Colette Jordan Associates Architectural Engineering & Energy Consulting
This event would not take place without brilliant supported of the Claremorris Chamber of Commerce and a special word of thanks to Claremorris Gardai who did a terrific job on a busy Friday..
· Mc Mahon park committee
· Mayo County Council
· Claremorris Men’s shed group
· The Red Cross,
· Event results will be supplied by Core Timing.
· Showers at the Claremorris swimming pool…
