Lees Road To Host European Duathlon Championships Qualifier

March 6, 2012 - PRLog -- Hosted by Ennis Tri Club, in conjunction with Triathlon Ireland, the first of the two Duathlons will take place this Sunday from 10:30am. The second event will be held on Sunday 1 April.  The marshalled races will see participants take part in a 2.7km run, followed by a 16.8km cycle and another 2.4km run.

“This weekend’s event will feature a qualification race for junior athletes hoping to take part in the ETU European Duathlon Championships, being held in the Netherlands on 29 April,” explained Race Director Hugh Dowling.

He continued: “The weekend Duathlon also will be the only “Draft Legal” race to take place in Ireland. Draft legal racing involves cyclists grouping together in a large a bunch to take advantage of the slipstream of the person in front, as witnessed in elite cycling events such as the Tour De France.”

Mr. Dowling said that the qualification race for junior athletes will showcase Ireland’s up and coming stars and possible future Olympians as they compete against the best racers in the country.

He explained: “The qualification race will not be open to everyone, but will set off in an earlier start wave with the remaining participants forming a later start wave. The race will consist of the top male and female athletes from the 2011 Vodafone National Series and National Duathlon Championships, who will take on the might of the National Junior Squad.”

Mr. Dowling urged anyone wishing to compete in either or both races to register online in advance as only limited entries will be available on the day.  

“The cost of entry is €20 while an additional cost of €5 will apply to non-Triathlon Ireland members wishing to avail of a one day licence.  Registrations are presently being accepted on the ‘Races’ section of the Triathlon Ireland website, www.triathlonireland.com,” he added.

Commenting ahead of this Sunday’s first Duathlon event, Richard Murphy, Facilities Manager, Lees Road Sports Amenity Park said: “Last year’s Duathlon was hugely successful and we look forward to once again welcoming over 150 participants to the complex this weekend and again on 1 April next.”

Mr. Murphy added: “Lees Road is now firmly established as County Clare’s leading athletics venue. The championship standard running track and cross country track have proven to be very popular among individual athletes and athletics clubs. Among the athletics events hosted at the complex in the past year is the Clare 10k, and the Clare, Ennis, Sixmilebridge and Doora-Barefield Community Games.”

Further information on the Ennis Duathlons is available from www.ennistriclub.com/duathlon or duathlon@ennistriclub.com (email).

CONTACT:
Hugh Dowling
Race Director
Ennis Duathlons
086-3402753

Mark Dunphy
Dunphy PR
086-8534900