A bracing launch for Lough Cutra triathlon

GORT is on course to be the number one destination for triathlons in Ireland according to organisers of the the first Lough Cutra Castle Triathlon.
While The Clare Champion revealed plans for the event in August, full details of the triathlon are due to be announced this Friday.
The launch event will combine a winter-busting dive into the lake at 10am with a round-table seminar with local groups at which race director, Brian Adcock, along with some top triathletes, will set out why they believe Gort and Lough Cutra Castle can be the location for Ireland’s premier international triathlon.
Castle owners, the Gwyn-Jones family, who are planning to compete in the triathlon in relay to raise funds for charity, will brave the waters of Lough Cutra, swimming 1,500 metres along with some leading triathletes to get the launch off to a heart-stopping start.
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 Lough Cutra Castle Triathlon will take place on Sunday, June 3, 2012. The race offers a distance for everyone and is open to people from all levels, whether first timers or elites or families and children.
“The landscape and beauty around Lough Cutra provides a fabulous environment for this event,” said Susanah Gwyn-Jones. “We are thrilled to be part of the prestigious Castle Triathlon Series and be the first venue of choice in Ireland. The annual event promises to provide increased tourism benefits locally and we look forward to welcoming a great cross-section of participants.”
The Markel Castle Triathlon seriesalready boasts events in three other castles in England and a chateau in France.
The decision to bring the series to Ireland recognises the growing popularity of the sport here and fits with Tourism Ireland’s strategy to market the West of Ireland as an unrivalled adventure sport destination.
The Markel Castle Triathlon Series also includes triathlons at Cholmondeley Castle, Cheshire; Castle Howard, York; Hever Castle Triathlon in Kent and Chateau de Chantilly in France.