Young Con Doherty from Westport put older and far more experienced athletes to the sword at the Adventure Duathlon, 16 year old Con showed his running prowess when he obliterated the field with a blistering run up to the Booster station at Glenisland some1450feet above sea level.

Anthony Murray who won the Sea 2 Summit race in November was the only one that could keep pace to Con with David Sands from Ballina making it a clean sweep for Mayo athletes in third.

In the Ladies event Marie Boyle from Spiddle had to work hard on the second bike leg to put day light between herself and Helen Gibbs from Buckinghamshire, Rachael Maloney from Foxford took the final podium position to get third.

Ger Deere Major of Castlebar paid tribute to the organisers and said that “ outdoor activity is the way forward for Mayo tourism and events like the Harlequin A.D. will only enhance to outsiders what a beautiful and scenic place Mayo is by using the beauty hot spots we have, he urged organisations to get behind outdoor events such as Adventure Races as they bring great business to the area”.

Harlequin Duathalon – Images by conor mckeown

The event was blessed with the beautiful sunny weather and for the hundreds that took part most could enjoy the views without been overwhelmed by the tough course.

This event was the first round of the National Adventure Races Sports series, the next round will be held in Wicklow April 16th and the next round to be held in the West will be on June 4thin Letterfrack/ Clifden see www.connemararoughdiamond.com .

The event organisers would like to thank race sponsors the Harlequin Hotel, Marrey Bikes and Exposure Castlebar. This event was supported by Mayo county council, Castlebar Town council, the Civil defence, Coillte, Western Lakes and Covey Westport cycling clubs and the Garda.

Photos on facebook at this link.

Males overall

1^st Con Doherty Westport            1.41.40

2^nd Anthony Murray Westport   1.45.14

3^rd David Sands Ballina                   1.51.54

4^th John Lenehan Westport         1.53.12

5^th Jamie Fitzmaurice                      1.53.32

6^th Paul Mahon Dublin                    1.56.03

1^st Junior

Brendan Scullion Clifden               2.03.02

1^st Over 40

Kevin Roache Swinford                                 1.58.07

1^st over 50

PJ Hall Ballyvary                                                2.10.41

Ladies overall

1^st Marie Boyle Spiddle                                 2.08.06

2^nd Helen Gibbs                 Buckinghamshire             2.12.08

3^rd Rachael Maloney Foxford                      2.15.37

4^th Kathleen Barry Partry                               2.16.12

5^th Alison Nohilly                                               2.17.36

6^th Ann Marie Egan Westport                      2.24.18

1^st Over 40

Mary Walsh Westport                    2.24.18

1^st Over 50

Daphne Mc Grath Westport

Full Results

Full results of the Harlequin Adventure Duathlon in excel format.