Duathlon Report for 31/01/10GREAT TURNOUT FOR THE SPORTSMANS DUATHLON
Competitors travelled from great distances to test out the new circuit for the Race series starting 14th of February. Many local athletes also braved the conditions to showcase there talents and the reaction was very positive for the race and the new course. The race consisted of a 3.2k run, 16k bike and to finish off, a 3.2k run. Belpark Triathlon club Dublin sent a couple of there finest athletes in John Caffrery and Brian Crinion to have a crack at the course and from the off the pace was set by Caffrery. Caffrery was first back to transition with Crinion only a matter of seconds behind. Niall McCabe from Setanta and Nicolas McGuiness of the north east runners werent too far away and after a quick transition McCabe showed his experience and was on the bike quicker of the two. Alot of first timers made up most of the field, hoping to test themselves at the 2 disciplines and this should stand to them in preparation for the coming series. Fast out of the blocks and on the bike was local Firefighter Damien Treanor, he was closly followed by cuculainn bike specialist Ray O Shaunessy. O ' Shaughnessy showed his strength on the bike quickly getting into 3rd postion with his sights focused on Crinion of Belpark. Caffery from early on had first place to lose so the race was on for 2nd and 3rd. In the womans race Michelle Dolan showed that the its not all about the men in the Dolan house and put in a fantastic performance leading from the off. Sarah Fagan closely followed with Nuala O Donaghue and Geraldine McCabe all of Setanta racing hard. Michelle Dolan held onto the lead on the bike and with plenty of encouragement from the sidelines she continued to move away from the chasing girls. Further back in the mens race the long drag from the ballymac roundabout to the Sportsmans was proving to be a tough ask on the newcomers legs approaching the second lap of the bike. Damian Myles of Setanta and Ciaran Hughes of Newry Tri looked strong and seemed to be moving up the field well heading into the final run. The transition from bike to run was a new experience for some and the jelly leg effect seemed to kick in straight away. At the top of the field Caffrery Strode to victory with Crinion showing all his experience to hold 2nd place with O Shaughnessy making up the places in 3rd. Niall mccabe put in a very fast 2nd run but it wasnt enough to catch O 'Shaughnessy. One to watch out for is Damien Treanor for in the next few races, he showed good speed and strength in the 3 legged affair and finished high up the rankings in 5th. Placings didnt change in the womans race from the start with Michelle Dolan cruising to victory. 2nd Place went to Sarah Fagan and 3rd to Geraldine McCabe. Others who performed well on the day were Martin McLaughlin, Nuala O Donoghue and Jordan Flood who won last years Cuchulainns League Championship. Thank you to the sportsmans for lending their facilities and for rewarding competitors with post race food All money taken on the day was in aid of Haiti. |
