Initial results from the Cuchulainn Warrior XC Triathlon held in Carlinford by Setanta Tri Club.  This interesting race format allows people the choice of a swim or kayak as the opening leg, before moving onto the mountain bike stage and finishing with a trail run.  The full distances are 400m Swim or 800m Kayak,  10.4k mountain bike Cycle,  9k trail Run. Full race report.

“Gerry McCabe crowned the Cuchulainn Warrior for 2011.

With a new bike and run course it was to be an equalling test of metal for all participants, as in previous years, during Saturdays Cuchulainn Warrior XC Triathlon held in the Cooley Mountains, over looking King John’s Castle and the village of Carlingford. Starting on the slipway at the Carlingford Sailing Club with half the field choosing to kayak 800m. The rest opting for a slightly shorter 400m swim. First two swimmers out of the water were Neil Mc Carville & Kathryn Bell, with all swimmers, bar a few, had left the water before the first kayak pairing, headed by Ciaran Gormley was to reach the shoreline, closely followed by Paul McGee & Johnny McCabe. It was then off on their mountain bikes up the side of Slieve Foy for one loop of some open mountain trails before returning to transition at the sailing club.

Gerry McCabe with his superior biking skills was first to reach ‘Slate Rock’ followed by brother Johnny a minute a later and Gary Shields a mere 10 seconds behind. They entered transition in that position, before heading for the final 5k forest trail run. Ruaidhri Stewart was in hot pursuit, avoiding a chain break which put paid to his chances last year.

Others were finding the steep bike trails tough but the spectacular descent made up for it, Paula Cooney heard saying ‘ What am I doing here !!’ her first time on a mountain bike. The start of the run seen the competitors attack ‘Savages Hill’ for a second time out of Carlingford, the stinger of a hill using what little energy that was left in the legs. Gerry was to hold the lead to the finish in a time of 59:17. Johnny McCabe (1:02:42) hotly perused by Gary Shields (1:03:11) taking second & third respectively. Ciaran Gormley held on bravely for forth spot, to take the first unplaced Vet. Second in the Vets category, Conor Mulcahy held off the efforts of Johnny Gregg who filled the third Vets podium position. Kathryn Bell, more used to the road bike triathlon took the ladies title from Paula Cooney. JohnMcKevitt took the Youth/Newcomers award, with Shane Garvey taking the Gold Finisher Medal after taking a slight detour during the bike section !!
Thanks to the Sailing Club for the superb venue, once again, Carlingford Red Cross and all the marshals who helped out on the day.”

Photos

Link to XC Triathlon photos on picasa.

1^st Gerry McCabe 5.45 (S) 32.45 (B) 20.46 (R)-59.17

2^nd Johnny McCabe 7.29 (K) 33.43 (B) 21.30 (R)-1.02.42

3^rd Gary Shields 8.10 (K) 33.18 (B) 21.43 (R)-1.03.11

4^th Ciaran Gormley 7.05 (K) 36.38/21.54/1.05.37 (1^st VET)

5^th Ruairhi Stewart 1.06.30

6^th Paul McGee 1.07.03

7^th Conor Mulcathy 1.10.22 (2^nd VET)

8^th Niall Casey 1.10.32 (3^rd VET)

9^th Ciaran Smith 1.11.02

10^th Jonny Gregg 1.11.09 (4^th VET)

11^th Sean Bradley 1.11.13

12^th Danny Sherry 1.11.45

13^th Darren Murphy 1.12.09

14^th Peter Jones 1.12.20

15^th Paul whately 1.13.22

16^th John Grace 1.13.48

17^th Kevin Hamill 1.17.04

18^th John Sharkey 1.18.04

19^th Ross Bell 1.19.18

20^th D Moore 1.20.31

21^st Ian Montgomery 1.20.49

22^nd John Doyle 1.22.05

23^rd Kathryn Bell (1^st Lady)

24^th Ray Ryan 1.24.31

25^th Niall Mc Carville 1.24.32

26^th Noel Tonge 1.25.16

27^th John McKevitt 1.27.27 (YOUTH AWARD)

28^th Neil O’Brien 1.33.52

29^th Shane Garvey 1.36.32

30^th Paula Cooney 1.43.06 (2^nd Lady)