Special Olympians to Tri their best 

Home Share Clare, a family based support service that provides respite to children and adults with disabilities, has been chosen as the partner charity for the iTriInis Triathlon.

The iTriInis Triathlon will be held around Ballyalla Lake, the Auburn Lodge Hotel and The River Lodge Leisure Centre on Saturday, July 26 and in the field of competitors will be three of Clare’s Special Olympians – Declan Clohessy, Barry O’Regan and Martin Cusack (pictured).

The challenge is the first of its kind to be held in Ennis and the course is said to be perfect for newcomers to the world of triathlon, as well seasoned triathletes.
The organisers are very inclusive in their planning approach; a splash and dash for children, a try a tri and a sprint race will be facilitated on the day.

Three recent special Olympian medal winners are currently training to participate in a relay team for the sprint race.  Declan Clohessy will do a 750m swim, followed by Barry O’Regan spinning a 20km cycle and Martin Cusack will finish with a 5km run.  The team have been working hard and are very much looking forward to competing on the day.

Declan learned to swim when he was four-years-old and swimming is now part of his routine. He enjoys swimming with family and friends on holidays and uses the Ennis Leisure Pool regularly.  Declan is looking forward to the experience of competing in the lake and in participating in something that is entirely new and different for him.

Barry has also been cycling for most of his life and he uses cycling as his main mode of transport.  He feels it’s a faster way of getting around. Barry is also looking forward to doing something completely different through competing in the triathlon.

A member of Clare Crusaders Running Club for the past five years, Martin started running eight years ago and runs four nights every week. He has participated in several marathons, 10k and 5k runs all around the country. He said he has made a lot of friends through running and it’s a good way of keeping fit.  He is looking forward to being part of a team in the iTriInis event and it is his first time participating in a triathlon.