Great endurance! Triathletes descend on Longford for the Two Provinces Triathlon

Once again the Lanesboro Triathlon club’s ‘Two Provinces’ sprint triathlon and Kidathon proved to be another outstanding success. 

Events started with the Kidathon on Friday evening where the maximum 100 youngsters participated in the swim, cycle and run. 

While the evening was chilly and rain threatening it did not dampen the enthusiasm of the young people who travelled great distances to participate. Included in the 100 were 32 junior athletes from the Lanesboro Junior Tri Club. 

All of the local youngsters competed with great distinction with some achieving podium positions.

A sign of the popularity of the triathlon saw the club having to stop taking entries from the four corners of Ireland as they reached their permitted number of 600.

Indeed they could have taken more such is the popularity and high esteem in which the triathlon is seen from athletes from all parts of the country.  

The day was mixed with sunshine; the wind and squally showers making it a tricky swim and difficult enough cycle for the athletes as they went to Scramogue and back before embarking on the final leg of the run to Harold’s Cross and back to the finishing line. 

The race included the sprint triathlon featuring beginners to elite with the elite athletes taking part in the national series; there was also the Aquabike and Tri-a-Tri all taking part in what was another fantastic occasion in Lanesboro and Ballyleague.

Another feature that cannot go unmentioned was the number of stewards that make themselves available for this yearly event. The triathlon club as always sprung into action all week with great numbers preparing the course, the transition area and all other areas to make the event flow seamless. 

The volunteers once again turned out in droves manning all areas along the course and in the main area at the car park. It is an acknowledgement to the high esteem in which the club is held that people in our community happily turnout and make themselves available to the club for this remarkable day. 

Well done to everyone that took part and to everyone that helped and supported the club on both Friday evening and Saturday.