The intended triathlon, however, was replaced with a duathlon as water quality concerns forced us to scrap the swim and hold a duathlon-style event with run, cycle, and run elements
There was a Waterford invasion as the top prizes went over the border from Kilkenny Triathlon Club’s big event of the year.
The Deise took first place in the men’s and women’s races and had prominent finishers throughout as they enjoyed their day in the neighbouring county.
KTC’s sold-out event was a big success as athletes dodged the worst of the weather to battle it out in the Marble City on Sunday.
While the sun shone for the bulk of the event, the elements left their mark. Heavy rain in the days leading up to the event caused heavy flow in the Nore and water quality concerns, forcing the cancellation of the swim section of the triathlon.
The changes meant organisers ran a duathlon event, replacing the swim with a 2.4km run in the Castle Park, followed by the 20km cycle out the Waterford Road and back into the city via Bennettsbridge before finishing with a 5km run in the Park. The day began with the Try-A-Tri athletes dashing from the start line, followed minutes later by three sprint waves.
Just like in the KTC Duathlon in April, Waterford’s Paul Ogle was first across the line as he completed the course in a blistering 58:27. He was made to fight all the way for first place, as second-placed finisher Eoghan Fox was five seconds behind him, while John O’Rourke from the Dungarvan Tried and Tested club was third home under the hour mark. He was the first of three T&T athletes to cross the line in succession, followed by Justin and Billy Ryan.
Waterford TC was celebrating again when Aine Kinsella took first place in the women’s sprint race. The former Kilkenny Camogie star is no stranger to the prizes in Kilkenny – she finished second in the club’s duathlon in 2022 – but went one better as she came home in a time of 1:06:22. Jennifer O’Sullivan, who beat Kinsella to the top spot in that 2022 Duathlon, was second this time in 1:08:48, with Denise Compton third in 1:13:09.
In the Try-A-Tri field, Carrick-on-Suir’s Michael O’Loughlin was first to cross the line, his sub-30 minute time for the 20km cycle powering him to victory.
Despite the late change, the event was a big success, with finisher medals providing many smiles for the hardy finishers. Thanks went to all sponsors, including headline sponsor Manicle Property Insurance Claims – all in the triathlon club are looking forward to returning to Kilkenny’s Castle Park for the 2024 events!
Men’s Sprint: 1 Paul Ogle (Waterford Triathlon Club), 58:27; 2 Eoghan Fox, 58:32; 3 John O’Rourke (Tried & Tested), 59:21; 4 Justin Ryan (T&T), 1:01:37; 5 Billy Ryan (T&T), 1:02:26; 6 Ian Molloy (Carlow TC); 7 Mark Daly (Waterford TC); 8 Declan Power (Waterford TC), 1:04:55; 9 Bernard Heaney, 1:05:06; 10 John Stephens (Clonmel TC), 1:05:12.
Women’s Sprint: 1 Aine Kinsella (Waterford TC), 1:06:22; 2 Jennifer O’Sullivan, 1:08:48; 3 Denise Compton, 1:13:09; 4 Martina McIntyre, 1:13:23; 5 Nicola Kehoe (Waterford TC), 1:13:34; 6 Geraldine Leete (Carlow TC), 1:13:47; 7 Becky McGrath, 1:14:15; 8 Tara Ní Reachtagain (T&T), 1:15:18; 9 Niamh Hennessy, 1:17:44; 10 Caroline Keane, 1:17:44.
Try-A-Tri
Men’s top three: 1 Michael O’Loughlin, 1:02:49; 2 Seanie Nally, 1:10:10; 3 Patrick Hogan, 1:12:49.
Women’s top three: 1 Anne Watkins, 1:19:00; 2 Jessica Drohan, 1:20:57; 3 Theresa O’Connell, 1:22:19.
