Distances: 750m pool swim, 20km cycle, 5km run.

Photos

Photo Gallery on Northwest Tri Club’s Facebook page.

Official race report from the Liam Ball Sprint Triathlon.

North West Sprint / Liam Ball Triathlon (29/05/11)

Sunday 29th May 2011 saw the 26th running of the Liam Ball triathlon at the Templemore Sports Complex, Derry. A field of 164 competitors took part in the event. The day turned out to be a typical Liam Ball triathlon day with lots of wind some sunshine and rain, but not enough to dampen the spirits of the competitors.

A minute’s applause was observed by the athletes at the briefing in memory of the late Colm Quigley from the host club who passed away recently. The first swim start saw 25 competitors in the pool for 09:00 hrs, Peter Smith was the first competitor into the transition area. The strong to gale force wind gave the athletes a very difficult cycle out the Letterkenny Road into the head wind but once around the turn point it was heads down back to the complex.

The run took the athletes along cycle paths through the Galliagh Estate back to the Complex and out again for a second loop. The finish was in front of the Complex where drinks and a memento were presented to everyone that crossed the finish line.

Fiona Murphy from Tuna Triathlon Club (yes a sister of Connor Murphy) was the first female out from the swim, but it was the experience of Anne Paul that won out on the day in the female section. Margaret Kelly returning from her horrific crash at the European Duathlon Championships in Limerick put in a fine performance to finish second. Local girl Aoife Logan fresh from doing long hours at registration was the first local female home.

The men’s race saw Brian Campbell lead right from the start of wave six, finishing in a time of 1:03:58, but it was for second place where the competition was at its fiercest, between Sean Featherstone and Alan Mitchell with only six seconds separating them at the finish. Despite the very windy conditions all the athletes put in a first class performance.

The Lord Mayor of Derry Maurice Devenney along with Kathleen McGlinchy (sister of Liam Ball) presented the prizes to the various category winners. During the presentation ceremony Denise Quigley and family presented the North West Triathlon Club with Colm’s framed race top.

The now famous after race buffet meant that all the athletes went home with good tight bellies looking forward to next year’s event.

Liam Ball Sprint Triathlon Results 2011