Join 1500 triathletes – juniors, first timers and elite competitors
If you’ve ever fancied giving triathlon a go, Lough Cutra Castle Triathlon on Sunday 29th May is the perfect place to start and there’s still time to enter. The fairytale Gort, Co. Galway castle has hosted the ‘festival of triathlon’ for the last 5 years and the event is going from strength to strength. Over 1500 competitors in eight different triathlons are expected on the day. Lough Cutra Castle hit the headlines for a different reason this time last year when the Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall stayed there during their visit to Ireland.
Elite Competitors
At the top end of the field, competition is expected to be fierce with many British elite athletes coming over to take part. Last year’s Men’s Olympic distance winner, Aichlinn O’Reilly from Westport Tri Club will defend his title against Triathlon Ireland high performance athletes Kieran Jackson and Bernard McCullagh as well as British elites Benjamin Pritchard, Daniel Franks, Chris Silver, Owain James, Steven Sims and Sam Wade. The Women’s Olympic distance course record holder Catherine Jameson returns to take on a quality field including fellow British triathlete Vicky Johnston. 2016 Olympic distance winner Kitty Perle moves up to take on The Gauntlet half iron distance which is a Triathlon Ireland National Series event this year and has over 400 competitors. Ian Farrell and Aidan Callaghan lead the Irish Gauntlet charge against British elites Brennan Townshend, Elliot Smales, Ian Roberts, Ian Dempsey and James Fox.
Personalities
Many colourful personalities are also joining in the triathlon fun. Super fit TV3 weatherman Deric O’hArtigan returns with his charity fundraising Tri 10 team including well known TV and radio personality Teena Gates. Ireland’s best known vet, Pete Wedderburn is back taking on the Olympic course.
The three junior races take place in the afternoon and all eyes will be on young Bailey Matthews, the inspirational 9 year old boy from Doncaster in the north of England who has cerebral palsy but didn’t let that stop him completing a triathlon, stole the show at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards last December. Bailey completed his first-ever triathlon last summer at Castle Howard in Yorkshire in a groundswell of emotion which led to him becoming an internet sensation. Bailey will take part in the children’s Widgeon event involving a 100m lake swim, 4km cycle and 800m run. A huge crowd is expected to welcome Bailey over the line.
All triathlons finish right in front of the fairytale castle. Enter online at www.loughcutratri.ie. Local partners include Gotta Run specialist running store in Oranmore, Sásta Cafe, Gort and Coole Football Club. The charity partner is ISPCC. Competitors are asked to make donations to ISPCC Childline on registration or via www.mycharity.ie.