Triathlon club up and running

ANYONE thinking of participating in the inaugural Up the Creek triathlon in Kilrush on Sunday, May 27 is likely to become very well acquainted with some of the high roads and byroads surrounding the town.

The newly formed West Clare Triathlon Club will organise the event, which will incorporate a 750m open water swim, a 21km cycle and a 5km run. The club was officially formed last November and held an open day in Kilrush last Sunday. Most of the current membership of about 30 people started their triathlete careers with Ennis Triathlon Club. However, such was the interest in the sport in West Clare, a local club was established.
“We just decided that because we had so much interest back in the West Clare area, the time was right for us to form our own club. We had quite a few members travelling over to Ennis. It was a geographical thing more than anything else. It just made more sense to have our own base,” Up the Creek race director Kevin Shalloo told The Clare Champion.
“All of us who are involved in this joined Ennis Triathlon Club three years ago. The best way to function in triathlon is within a club because you get club training and the mentoring that you need,” he advised.
West Clare Triathlon Club secretary Catherine Howard stressed all levels of triathletes are catered for.
“The formation of the club is about supporting experienced athletes and introducing and encouraging beginners and novice athletes. Having the club hub based close to the athletes gives greater access and structure to training and support. The club is committed to providing advice, training and, above all, fun. Every member agrees that not being confident in any of the three triathlete disciplines is not an inhibitor to enjoying triathlon. In September 2009, four of the original group could just about manage a width of the swimming pool. The same four finished two Half Ironmen events last summer,” Catherine noted.
The West Clare group has been involved in the running of two duathlons in Kilrush and helped to organise the Carrigaholt Triathlon. So it followed that the establishment of a new club would lead to a Kilrush-based triathlon.
The swim will be held in Kilrush marina, followed by the cycle. “The cycle will be right after coming out of the marina, out around by Cappa, on to Aylevaroo and up onto the Killimer road. Then we’ll go down as far as the turn-off before Killimer village near Pecker Dunne’s house. We’ll come out over on the Kilrush-Kilmurry McMahon road, turn left and that will bring us back into Kilrush,” Kevin Shalloo explained.
The 5km run will head out by Shanakyle Graveyard, before looping back in by Pella Road and finishing in Francis Street.
Anybody interested in joining the club can contact Catherine on 086 3805390 or Kevin on 0863039783 or visit westclaretri.com.