Christmas time was always known as the time of year where one could indulge and put on a few pounds, well it looks like we are turning this trend on its head with the biggest ever entry for Claremorris ‘s Land of the Giants Duathlon.
Unprecedented numbers will descend on the South Mayo town for a few hours on Wednesday morning 28th of December. The event has been growing steadily the last few years said event organizer Padraig Marrey of Raceface events “but this year the numbers have ballooned the event sold out 2 weeks beforehand and he put that down to early season promotion, great support from local traders especially the chamber of commerce and the event date which is a few days after Christmas as been the catalyst for eager participants.
The event is also the first round of the Ireland West Duathlon series and going on last year’s success the series promises to draw participants from the four corners of the country. The Giants Duathlon (local name) is a very jovial affair, some use it to kick start the season while others are just happy to blow off a bit of the turkey, one thing for sure is that old friends always get to meet up, be it before, during or after the event.
Dixon & Dever Quantity Surveyors and project managers are the main sponsor. The Claremorris Company has been a key supporter of the event since its inception back in 2011. Paul Dixon said “we are delighted to be main sponsor as it’s a great event for the town; I have taken part myself a few times and love the atmosphere it brings”.
The event starts in the heart of Claremorris town with a 5k run that takes participants out to Mc Mahon Park where they run around in the safe environment of the beautiful Land of the Giants greenway.
Stage 2 is an 18k cycle taking on the undulating roads of Mayfields and Carramore before returning via the Ballinrobe road.
Stage 3 is a 2k run around Clare Lake, then back to the finish line at the Square.
Sign on (Number collection) from the Mc William Hotel on Tuesday Dec 27th 6-8pm in the evening and Wednesday morning from 8.00am to 10am.
Goodie bag on a first come first served basis as we did’nt expect the huge crowd.
The Race briefing takes place at 10.15am at Market Square and the event start at 10.30am sharp.
The huge crowd will roar down James St on their way to Mc Mahon Park on the Ballinrobe road.
The main Sponsors of the event is Dixon& Dever project development services Ltd, they are supplying participants with a Dixon & Dever labelled drinks bottle & Pen and energy products from HIGH 5. Goodie bags are on first come first served basis.
Support Sponsors of the event are The Mc William park hotel, Flynn’s Pharmacy, Colette Jordan Associates Architectural Engineering & Energy Consulting and Super Value all participants
Claremorris leisure center will provide the showers for participants after the event. Prize giving takes place at 1pm at the Mc William Park Hotel.
This event would not take place without brilliant supported of Claremorris Chamber of Commerce, Mc Mahon park committee, Mayo Co Co and the road safety authority, Claremorris Men’s shed group and The Red Cross, event results will be supplied by Core Timing.
Proceeds from this event will support the following; St Coleman’s College astro turf pitch, Claremorris Men’s shed group and Mc Mahon Park.
Photo 1 Paul Dixon and Sean Dever of Dixon& Dever Project managers (main sponsors of the event)
Photo 2: Jimmy Flynn and staff of Flynn Pharmacy
Photo 3 Colette Jordan Associates Architectural Engineering & Energy Consulting
