Irish Duathlon Championships (25th April 2010)

The North West Triathlon Club hosted the Irish and Ulster Duathlon Championships on Sunday morning at Burnfoot, Co. Donegal. The race was also a qualifier for the World Duathlon Championships which takes place in Edinburgh this September.

The competition on the day was closely fought with Joe Lynch of Dublin Tri Club Pulse coming away eventual winner in a time of 1 hour 51 minutes 9 seconds. Barry Minnock led the way on the first run with a time of 31.28 for 10km. On to the bike and Lynch posted a sub 1 hour time of 59.41 for the 40km. A close race was now on between Lynch, Dublin's Bjorn Ludick, Kevin Keane (Belpark) and Brian Campbell (Hi Elbow) for top spot. On the final 5km run Campbell posted the quickest time of 15.37. However Ludick held on for second place in 1.51.27 with Keane taking third spot in 1.51.50. Campbell was next to stop the clock in 1.51.58 which saw him come away with the Ulster title.

In the women's race Eilish Connery of Muckno Tri Club was a clear winner also coming away with the Ulster title. The Monaghan woman posted the quickest 10km run time of the ladies in 36.39 and finished in an overall time of 2.8.33. Aoife Lynch of Pulse Tri Club was second home in 2.10.29 while Wheelworx Tri Club member Bronagh Ni Bhriain took third place in 2.10.42.

The Relay team prize went to the North West's Pius McIntyre and Aaron Deane finishing in a time of 1.48.32. McIntyre completed both run legs while Deane took charge of the cycle leg posting the quickest bike split of the day in a time of 56.28.

Colm Quigley led the rest of the host club members home in a time of 2.03.32 with Gary O'Donnell crossed the line in 2.04.48. Paul McConnellogue was the next club member in on 2.06.38 with Paul McGilloway stopping the clock in 2.08.20. Brendan Doherty and Cormac Woods were next to finish in times of 2.11.18 and 2.12.46 respectively. James Beattie raced to 2.15.07 with Philip Bradley doing a time of2.16.09 and Mickey Kerr crossed the line in a time of 2.20.25.

Next up for the club is the Limavady Triathlon on the 15th May followed by the North West Sprint/Liam Ball Triathlon again hosted by the club on 30th May.

Buncrana Duathlon 11th April 2010

The Buncrana Duathlon was blessed with good weather as over seventy athletes lined up to take part in the race consisting of a 2 mile run, 10 mile cycle and another 2 mile run to finish. The event always attracts a good mix of individual entries and relay teams which always makes for a competitive race. 17 members of the North West Triathlon Club competed with the club dominating the Relay and Ladies events.

The clubs' relay team made up of Pius McIntyre and Aaron Deane took top spot in a time of 45mins 47secs. McIntyre completed his runs in 10.51 and 10.41 respectively while Deane posted the fasted bike split of the day in 24mins 15secs. Joanne Doran won the ladies race in a time of 1 hour 24 seconds with Buncrana's Aoife Logan coming 2nd on 1 hour 6 mins 51secs.

Adam Speers of the Letterkenny Club 24/7 won the overall male category with the North West's Colm Quigley taking third spot in a time of 50mins 45secs. Gary O'Donnell finished on 51mins 6secs while Paul McConnellogue clocked 52mins 36secs. Paul McGilloway and Joe Doherty finished on 53.18 and 54.17 respectively. James Beattie stopped the clock on 55.36 while Jarlath Fearon crossed the line in 55.58. Frankie Dunlop and Philip Bradley were close at the finished with the 'awl han' Frankie coming in on 56.49 while duathlon debutant Bradley had a very respectable time of 56.51. Carndonagh's Patrick McLaughlin was the next club memember home in 58.39. Junior club member Lee Beattie clocked an impressive 59.14 and Michael McGlynn finished in 1hr 1min 11secs. Brian McCallion was next across the line for the club in 1.04.42 with Clive Bell finishing on 1.06.44 and Tony Morrison coming home in 1.08.55.

Next up is the North West Duathlon which takes place in Burnfoot on Sunday 25 April. This race is also the Irish Duathlon Championships and consists of a 1km run, 40km cycle and 5km run to finish. Further details on the race are available on the club website www.northwesttriclub.com