Approximately 450 triathletes from all over Ireland and further afield will descend on Lough Key Forest Park this Sunday for the annual Waterways Ireland Lough Key Triathlon.
This year’s event is one of the final rounds of the BMW Triathlon Ireland National Series and has attracted a top class field including a host of Irelands top triathletes who will be seeking valuable points for their years totals and will ensure quality racing in both the mens and womens races.
The event consists of a 750 metre lake swim in front of Castle Island followed by a 23km bike route around the lake taking in Knockvicar, Corrigeenroe and a fast descent of the N4 past Boyle and back into the park. The final leg is a 5km run through the paths of the park.
This years event see’s the highest standard entry ever assembled in Lough Key. The women’s field is particularly strong with the recently crowed National Elite Champion Erin McConnell from Newtownards and Age Group winner of last weekends Ironman 70.3 Dún Laoghaire, Hilary Hughes of Westport amongst the favourites. Previous winner and multi national championship winner Heather Foley of Sligo also starts with Becky Woods of Piranha Triathlon Club having a number of wins under her belt this season and should also feature along with Emma Porter.
Aaron Doherty of Westport will start as men’s race favourite along with rising junior Sabian Kulczynski from Ennis TC.
There will be a large number of local competitors taking part and racing kicks off at 10.30am with 3 separate waves of competitors at 10 minute intervals. The first finishers should be home in just over the hour mark.
Schedule for Saturday evening and Race Day:
Saturday 31st August
18.30 Registration opens in Lough Key Forest Park
20.00 Registration closes
Sunday 1st September
07:30h Park opens
07:45h Registration opens
08:15h Transition zone opens YOU MUST HAVE REGISTERED BEFORE ENTERING
09:30h Registration closes – NO LATE REGISTRATION – TI MEMBERS MUST HAVE MEMBERSHIP CARD – NON MEMBERS MUST HAVE ONE DAY LICENCE..THEY ARE NOT SOLD ON THE DAY.
09.50h Transition Closes
NO CARD NO RACE……NO ONE DAY LICENCE NO RACE……TI RULES
10:00h Competitors briefing on lawn in front of main building (Attendance compulsory)
10:15h Competitors will be counted into water and may warm-up (Wave 1, followed by Waves 2 & 3)
10:25h Wave 1 Competitors line-up at buoys 50metres from shoreline
10:30h START (Wave 1 – next Wave will start 5 mins later)
12:15-13:30h Buffet lunch on Green beside finish area
13.15h Prize-giving ceremony (approx)
