Kilkenny City will once again open up to athletes from all over Ireland as the Kilkenny Triathlon makes a welcome return to the sporting calendar.
The popular sprint event, which will see triathletes swim in the River Nore, cycle through the county, and finish with a run in the picturesque surrounds of the Castle Park, will be held on Sunday, July 18th.
After enduring more than a year of lockdown and cancelled events, such is the interest it’s no surprise that the triathlon is already a sell-out, with waiting lists in place for cancellations.
Hosted by the Kilkenny Triathlon Club, this year’s triathlon returns with some traditional elements as well as new additions.
In what will be a showcase event for Triathlon Ireland, with the country still observing Covid-19 recommendations the triathlon will follow all current social distancing guidelines and ensure protocols are adhered to. Changes include a new transition area and system for participants to get race-ready, as well as an all-new running route for the event.
Some 210 triathletes from clubs all over the country will flock to the Marble City for a 750m swim in a city centre section of the Nore before tackling a 20km cycle which will take them out the Waterford Road and back into the city via Bennettsbridge, before finishing with a 5km run of five loops of the lower field in the Castle Park.
To ensure social distancing athletes will be let off in three waves, with each wave also using a different section of the transition area throughout the day. Marshals will be there to bring people through the bike check area on their way to transition, with marshals also accompanying each individual wave of swimmers to their start point in the river.
The 2021 Kilkenny Triathlon starts at 11 am on Sunday, July 18th in Kilkenny’s Castle Park.
For more on the event or to join the club see www.kilkennytriathlonclub.com
