Wet wet wet in Ballina

Well done to all who took part in yesterdays Ballina triathlon under what could be described as horrendous conditions; the spectators endured as much of a test of endurance as the athletes to stay watching in an hour long deluge. The Sligo contingent was made up of Stephen Carty, Czarke Kelly, Jason McMorrow, Neil Walton, Sandra Deery, Pauric Deery, Brian Sexton, Ronan McNamara, Sean Flannery, Damien McSharry and Saoirse O'Donoghue (apologies if I missed anyone -mail any corrections/ additions to pro@sligotriathlon.ie). The swim leg involved tasting the accumulated dirt of several dry weeks as it flowed into the river, adding an additional test of intestinal fortitude to the race. Flash flooding and poor visibility made the bike course difficult while the run took place over an out and back woodland trail, with the race finishing with a lap of Ballina athletic track. Don't be put off competing in the event by this description; yesterdays conditions were exceptional and the event is very well run and makes great preperation for the Rosses Point race.

Neil Walton took fourth place, just over a minute behind the winner Mark Horan from the Pulse club while Jason McMorrow produced the fastest run of the day by a serious margin to take 13th place. Saoirse O'Donoghue finished well up in the ladies section, in what was her first triathlon, followed closley by Sandra Deery. Sean Flannery, Brian Sexton, Ronan McNamara and Damien McSharry also finished towards the front of the pack while Stephen Carty, Czarke Kelly and Pauric Deery finished strongly in what were very testing conditions.

This years event took more than a little effort to stick out the testing conditions to the credit of all who finished. Overall the race was well worth doing, it can be difficult to secure a place as it sells out faster than an AC/DC gig, but hopefully there will be an even bigger Sligo contingent next year. Full details are available on the Ballina club website. Thanks to Mick Walton for capturing the rain soaked action on camera, photos to be posted shortly...