Irish Duathlon Championships

THIS Sunday, sees the Irish Duathlon Championships return to Burnfoot for the second year in a row. Organised by the Northwest Triathlon Club, the race will also incorporate the Ulster Duathlon Championships as well as being the main selection race for anyone hoping to make the Irish Duathlon team at the European and World Championships.

This alone will in garantee a top class field will be turning out to race this weekend.

The race starts off with a 10km run, starting from E&I factory in Burnfoot, round the Slab road (which will be closed for the duration of the race) into Bridgend and back to Burnfoot. Then, without any break its straight on to the bikes where athletes will have to cover 40km (5 laps round the Slab-Bridgend circuit) before dismounting and finishing off with another 5km run.

The successful race last year made sure that many of the top finishing athletes are returning to defend their titles aswell as some new names looking for the crown.

Peter Savage from Newry, former Irish Triathion Champion Brian Crinion from Dublin, and Olympic hopefull Conor Murphy from Belfast are set to be the main contenders. However Adam Speers from Letterkenny has been unbeaten this year in Duathlon, will have his sites set on the top spot of the podium.

Four out of the top six finishing females in last years race will be returning to this years race with Aoife Lynch from Pulse Club in Dublin, and Fionnula NI Bhradaig being favorites for the womens titles.

Local hopefuls include Colm Quigley, Gary O'Donnell and Paul McConnellogue, as well as the relay combination of Inishowen AC's James Brown and North Pole's Paddy McCallion.

The race will start at E&I factory at 9.30am on Sunday morning, with registration taking place on Saturday 4-6pm and 7.30-9am on Sunday morning in the Aileach Community centre.

Entries cost 30 euros for individuals, and 40 euros for relay teams, however if you do not have a Triathlon Ireland membership you will need to take out a one-day license at 10 euros to race.

More information is availible on www.northwesttriclub.com.