600m swim launches Lough Cutra Triathlon

SEVEN brave triathletes, including some from Galway and Clare, braved the 10oC lake waters of Lough Cutra Castle, Gort, last Friday to launch the first Lough Cutra Castle Triathlon, which will take place next June.
Tom Watters, from Labane, South Galway, was one man who was able for the 600m launch challenge. He swam around Ireland in 2006. On land were representatives of local hotels, the Lady Gregory and the Loughrea Hotel and Spa, Bord Fáilte Ireland West, as well members of triathlon clubs in the region.
Lough Cutra Castle is the latest location to join up with the unique Markel Castle Triathlon Series, which combines the challenge of adventure racing with the culture and history of famous castles and their grounds. The race offers a distance for everyone and is open to people from all levels, whether first timers or elites. It will be one of the few triathlons in Ireland to cater specifically for families and children.
Lough Cutra is the fifth venue to join the Markel Castle Triathlon Series, which already boasts events in three other castles in England and a chateau in France.
Race director Brian Adcock said the aim of the event is to create a festival-like atmosphere that is good for the local economy, good for tourism as well as being good for athletes and their families.
“We want to put Galway onto the triathlon map,” he said. “Lough Cutra is a stunning backdrop to a hard and gritty sport. That’s what will make this race stand out from others.
“We are hoping to attract over 500 competitors in the first year, half of whom will come from the UK,” he said. “That means that there will be at least 250 individuals and families soaking up the atmosphere of South Galway and Clare. Following that, the aim is to grow it into the premier adventure race in the country.”
Castle owners, the Gwyn-Jones family, are in training to complete the triathlon in relay to raise funds for charity.
Son, Rollo, will start off in the water, followed by mother, Susannah, who will do the cycle leg. She will be followed up by son Dominic, who will run the final leg. Families taking part in triathlons together is a growing trend.
Rollo said he first had the idea about using the lake and grounds of Lough Cutra Castle for a triathlon when he competed in an event that meant wading through dirty water and shopping trolleys in the UK.
“The water in the lake here is crystal clear. The cycle circumvents the lake with constant stunning views of the castle. Then the run takes place over tracks and safe roads within the grounds of the castle,” he explained.
The organisers are planning a “three nation championship” in the spring, staging a race between the best of Irish, UK and French triathletes.