The training program consisted of weekly coached sessions in the three triathlon disciplines; swimming, cycling and running. The coached sessions were given by certified coaches from Sligo Triathlon club and provided thirty novice women with the necessary skills to complete the Try a Tri. During the training program the women also participated in additional workshops on transitions, nutrition and training, which were facilitated by experienced triathletes from the Sligo Triathlon Club.
The Try a Tri event gave the training group the opportunity to put all the hard training to the test with a 200m swim, followed by a 8.5 km cycle and a 3.5 km run. Twenty participants started the event with the swim, which consisted of an 8 length swim in the Sligo Regional Sports Complex. Within 5 minutes Dearbhaile Prior was the first competitor to exit the water making her way to the bike and followed in quick succession by Karen Flynn, Carmel Roberts and the rest of the participants. The ladies quickly embraced the challenging cycle from the Sports Complex to the Holy Well and back with several hills to contend with. Dearbhaile Prior was first back from the cycle with Sheila Devaney and Louise Ferrick hot on her heels after making up time on the bike. The ladies racked their bikes and were quickly off on the last leg of the event, which consisted of the 3.5 km run from the Sports Complex to the Race Course for a lap and then back to the Sports Complex. Within 13 minutes Sheila Devaney was first home taking first place in an overall time of 45 mins. Next in was Lorraine Cuffe , in a time of 46 min, who’s outstanding performance in the bike and run leg saw her come home in second place, with Dearbhaile Prior taking third place in a time of 47 min. One by one the remaining participants were welcomed home to rapturous applaud from the awaiting crowd. Congratulations must go to all the women who completed the event after putting in so much time and effort during the 6 week training program to achieve their personal goals of successfully completing the Try a Tri.
A special word of thanks to the coaches, workshop facilitators, the Try a Tri Committee, race marshals and Sligo Triathlon Club who all contributed to the successful training program and Try a Tri event. The support and funding from Sligo Sport and Recreation Partnership is also recognised. For further information on Sligo Triathlon Club check-out the website www.sligotriathlon.ie or for information on Sligo Sports and Recreation Partnership Tel: 9161511.
