Setanta Triathlon Club held the first of their series races yesterday 14th of February at the Sportsmans. Because the race was on Valentines day every Female athlete received a red rose on registration from cupid himself Brian Cafferty.

Over 100 competitors signed up on the morning, with this being the first race of their season. The venue is second to none and we can see this event growing with alot of positive feedback coming when competitors crossed the line.

John Caffrey from Belpark Triathlon Club was back again to keep his crown and in the womans race we had National Champion Elana Masolova looking to get her season off to a winning start.  From the off the pace was fast and leading out the field for the first Kilometre or so was Mark Lacey from Pulse triathlon club. A run prime( first back from the run) was up for grabs for the first section of the race so usual suspects started to move up the field. Owen Martin of Setanta and Nicolas McGuinness from NER were hot on the heels of Caffrey but not close enough to take the run prime, missing out by a mere 8 seconds. In the womans race their were no great suprises to see Masolova on the bike first and after a quick transition she was in familiar territory with the lead. The  Setanta Dawe twins Breda and Annette followed Masolova and their own dual began when they got on the bike.

This race is all about the bike, a very fast entry into the ballymac roundabout and a tough drag back towards the sportsmans.The race was on in the mens field with places changing  a few times. Owen Martin on the first lap put time into Caffrey and behind Martin, Stepten Harkins of Triangle was making up ground fast. In the middle of the field the the competition was fierce. Alan Bingham of Cuchcullainn CC was having a good sparring match with Rodney Young, Mark McIlroy(Newry Tri) and Mark Lacey. Bingham knows these roads too well and his strength on the bike was to stand to him.

Masolava knew that only a machanical problem was going to cost her the race but that didnt stop the Annette and Breda Dawe from trying their best to catch her.  Futher back Sheena Meehan was moving well & also fellow setanta Maria Duffy, who never stopped smilying the whole day.

No suprises to see Caffrey into transition first but  Harkins had made up serious ground having passed  Martin on the second lap of the bike which put him on course for an upset.
In the Ladies race Masolova was back in first and even could of had time for tea and biscuits in transition had she wanted!. There were only two places left on the podium for the ladies race so the Dawe twins looked sure to be there but  Linda meehan wasnt going to give up without a fight.

Alot of Setanta battles were going on  with Chris Quinn and Kevin Hamill really testing eachothers limits with very credible sub 34 mins for a hard bike course. Their race was going to be decided on the run. Many athletes at the top of the field went under 30 mins  but the bike prime went to Caffrey, who looked sure to have a clean sweep on all prizes.

Caffrey took the victory but he was pushed hard to the line with one of the performances of the day going to Harkins who made up alot of time on the bike and second run. Owen Martin took third with a solid display.
Chris Quinn dug in and reached the line before Hamill. A battle to watch next time!

Masolova was given the ladies title and the Dawe girls were second  & third, Breda just edging out Annette. Linda Mehan ran a fast final section but couldnt to get amoungst the medals.

It was a great race and couldnt have been done without the marshalls who volunteered to help out. Many thanks also to the guards. Thank you to the Sportsmans Bar and Restaurant for lending us their facilities. Next race is 21st of March with an earlier time start of 9:30am. You can register on the morning of the race or pre register on www.setantatri.com . All fitness levels welcome to race.