Fighting Cancer Triathlon

Fighting Cancer Triathlon 2010 (Formerly known as Tri-To-Beat-Cancer) went off today in yet again glorious sunshine. This event somehow always seems to get good weather that many of the organisers accredit to the founder of the event from the heavens above, the late Anne Burns.

Today there were a lot of new people christened to triathlon in the swim, which is not unusual to this event as it attracts a high level of first timers. There were more relay teams than in recent years who from experience will no doubt be gunning to take on the full challenge next year.

The men’s race was won by Wayne Reid of Athlone Triathlon Club (a former Midland Tri Club member, still welcomed on these shores!) who had a great battle with Robert Downes, a local athlete based in France who makes the trip over every year to put Wayne to the test. Both athletes shared the lead at different stages but Wayne’s quick running made sure of victory. The final podium finish was claimed by local athlete Paul Connelly who, had to wait until the run to overtake last years third place participant, David Cahill. …. I’m sure David will want to set the record straight next year!

In the ladies race, Emma Quirke travelled from Dublin to use this race as preparation for upcoming European Championships in Athlone (she also had to pick up shoes for her upcoming wedding in August… I suppose she had to get around quickly before the shop closed! Whatever her motivation Emma was on blistering form exiting the water not far from the lead pack and maintaining her lead throughout. Sinead Roche of Midland Tri was in hot pursuit and if there were just another few km on the run she may have just caught her. Tara White unknown before the race made up third place and is no doubt one to watch for next year’s event.

This year saw an increase in the number of relay teams with System Dynamics (Team C) the eventual winners. System dynamics have been great supporters of this event over the years so organisers were delighted to see them claim the prize, second relay team was Quicksilver10 and in third spot ‘Dee F N’ (I don’t pick or explain the names!).

Well done to all in another very successful event and to all who participated and raised money and to all who helped organise the event and to Precision Timing who got the results pronto see www.fightingcancertriathlon.ie .  We need them up before we go to the pub to review and reflect and try to explain to “Why the heck we spent so much time in transition!”.

I would also like to note Professor John Crowns participation who after setting a new PB was able to inform the crowd to where the funds are going and pass on the message that we are Fighting Cancer with huge degrees of success and will continue to do so with the support of everyone who is part of ‘Fighting Cancer Triathlon’ – see www.fightingcancertriathlon.ie

Results

Results in excel format here.