Blacksod Point Challenge Race Report

The weather turned nasty for the last triathlon outing of the year for club members with a strong headwind testing the bike skills of the Sligo team of Eamonn McAndrew, Tommy Sheridan, Stewart McKenna, Jason “Skinny” McMorrow, Adrian O’Connor, Cecilia McGuinness, Sean Flannery, Caoimhe NiMhuruchu, Pauric Deery, Brian Sexton and Jonathan Fahy. See the photo of Tommy outside the "b&b" for an idea of conditions. With Belmullet being a long drive from town and a Friday night sign-on the club arrived the night before, opting for bed and breakfast accommodation before the race, with the exception of Pauric and Sandra who stayed in the team HQ (campervan) and Tommy and Jason who used the (Ford) transit motel near the transition area. At about five am on race morning the wind picked up with strong gusts and heavy rain, which would set the tone for the race itself.

Following a two hour wait in heavy rain the race began on the 500m out, 1000m across beach to pier course. Stewart used his swimming skills to storm the (slightly shortened) course in 19 minutes flat, closely followed by Jason, Caoimhe, Cecilia and Eamonn. Unfortunately Cecilia suffered a puncture at the start of the bike section which put and an end to what looked like a strong performance. Meanwhile Eamonn rode up through the field to a top ten finish with Stewart and Tommy also using the bike section to gain ground. The run section took in the trademark dunes which sapped the energy of competitors before the descent into Blacksod pier. The club had three finishers (Eamonn, Stewart and Brian) in the top twenty as was the case with Eamonn, Gary and Colm in the last national series race in Lough Key. With Eamonn improving in every race, and a back to form post Ironman rest Stewart, it is only a matter of time before the club gets a podium placing in one of these events. The event has a reputation of being one of the toughest in the country and lived up to this on the day, however this did not stop club members posting strong performances, all coming home well into the top 50% of this final national series race of the season. Full results are on the Triathlon Ireland website, well done to all who travelled.