Poor weather conditions did not dampen the enthusiasm of the large numbers that turned up for the third annual Land of the Giants Duathlon in Claremorris.
The 5.5k run, 18k cycle and 2k run course was an opportunity for participants of all backgrounds to maintain their fitness over the festive season.
Some participants made a long journey from outside the province to take part and others closer to home made the effort to get of their couches and brave the elements on a windly and wet day. For all the sense of completing of all three stages of the event was a great acheivement.
The event attracts all abilities and it was great to see the elites mingle amongst all the competitors before the event with some light hearted banter.
The Claremorris community once again really got behind the event with local organisations like the Men’s Shed Group, the Chamber of Commerce and local sporting clubs all willing to lend a hand.
The race itself started with a cold wet shower followed by some sunny spells but ended with a sleet blizzard, while the competitors were able to keep warm at race pace whilst the marshals and race organisaters took it on the chin.
The men’s race was a closely contested affair with John Greaney (Hurt Locker, Galway) and Stephen Donnelly (Liquidworx, Ballina) battling all the way to the line with Greaney using his stronger running to open a gap on the last 2k leg, in third was Westport’s Sean McLoughlin.
Greaney’s strong effort was a just reward as he set a new course record improving his 2013 race time by 30 seconds.
In the ladies race Ballina’s Lorraine Carey won by nearly 2 minutes from Barbara Dunne (Hurt Locker, Galway) with last year’s winner Marie Boyle from Spiddle in third place.
There was a great battle between the relay teams section with 18 teams competin on the day, the team event is getting very popular as a runner/walker does the 2 running stages and the cyclist does the 18 km bike stage.
Western Lakes/Westport AC team called Hidden Camera won over Tourlestrane pair Dunne and Diarmuid with the Gills of Hollymount in third place. The ladies relay race was won by the Claremorris team Collette Jordon and Helen Kelly.
The duathlon is not all about winning for most it is about improving on last year’s time or the acheivment of completing the course in one peice (which is a very respectable acheivement), with so much technology nowadays the Garmin and Strava websites were inundated with participants comparing and analysing their efforts.
Thanks to the event sponsors Future Insurance brokers, The McWilliam Park Hotel, Flynn’s Pharmacy, Waldron & Associates Architects, Dixon & Dever Project Development Services, Colette Jordan and Associates Architectural Engineering & Energy Consulting.
The event was supported by Claremorris Chamber of Commerce, McMahon Park Committee, Mayo County Council, the Road Safety Authority, Red Cross and Claremorris cycling club.
Overall Results
1st John Greaney, Hurt Locker Fitness, Galway – 53:06
2nd Stephen Donnelly, Liquidworx, Ballina – 53:41
3rd Sean McLoughlin, Westport AC – 55:15
Junior Shane Dunne – 1:05:51
Over 40 Morgan Mc Hugh, Galway Tri – 1:01:08
Over 50 Paul Dixon, Claremorris – 1:18:15
Relay Hidden camera – 55:20
Ladies
1st Lorraine Carey, Ballina – 1:01:48
2nd Barbara Dunne, Hurt Locker, Galway – 1:03:14
3rd Marie Boyle, Spiddle – 1:04:22
Junior Nessa Gibbons Partry – 1:26:46
Over 40 Collette Touhy, Castlebar – 1:09:57
Over 50 Claire Charlton, Kiltmagh – 1:22:10
Relay Helen and Collette, Claremorris – 1:18:05
Get the full results here:
Watch a video on the event here:
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Race Report by: Padraig Marrey
Bike Fitting Specialist
Event organiser
www.raceface.ie
