Killaloe was the venue for the second year of the Brian Boru Tri Challenge, which was once again organised in aid of local charities. The weather held off well and the day turned out to be perfect conditions for what is a very tough triathlon.

The "Sprint" distance Tri consisted of a 750m lake swim, a 22k cycle with a very tough 3k climb within the first 6k, and from there onto what has to be the hardest run section in the country this year. The run is 7k with the first 4k climbing to 250m above the beautiful Lough Derg. From the peak of the climb the run descends sharply back to the finish line on the shore of the Lough.

The race was promising to be very competitive with the female winner from 2009 (Lizzy Lee) back to defend her title. In the mens race some of the faces to watch were Mike 0'Brien, Shane Scully, Mike Yelverton and Aaron 0'Brien - a favorite in the Junior Section. There was a small amount of chop on the surface to deal with during the swim. The swim broke up quickly with a steady stream of the favourites coming out of the water and in the ladies race Lynne Algar came to the fore to lead out on the bike.

The bike was testing and also broke the field further, as the leaders made their way back into transition the dramatics started with Mike Yelverton walking back with a puncture causing him to DNF. Next was Shane Scully leading with a 3min lead and having to opt out of the run due to a leg injury which left the race wide open and the new leader was now Mairtin Grealish of Predator with Mike O'Brien of Limerick Tri Club in second place.

Mairtin's strong run up the hill helped him to a 2min 30sec lead that he held until the end to become the 2010 winner with Mike O'Brien in second and the 3rd place going to the Irish Junior Squad athlete Aaron O'Brien from Limerick Tri Club.

The female race was exhilarating with Lynne Algar and Lizzy Lee dismounting the bike and going stride for stride into transition. The excitement was high as they left transition and took on the hill... Lizzy's strong running ability gave her the win on the day and her second Brian Boru crown in a row. Lynne Algar placed second only 3mins behind with Derval Devaney hot on her heels in 3rd place.

In the relay race 24 teams took part and this category was won well by the aptly named "Spanners" the team consisted for 3 members of the Irish Development Squad: Conor & Stephen Rooney from Ennis Tri Club and from Rory Sexton of Blackwater Tri Club. The junior races were won by Sionanna 0'Reilly Collins (Irish Develpoment Squad) and David O'Hara.

All results available on www.redtagtiming.com and also on www.brianborutrichallenge.com.

Thanks to the 90 Volunteers who helped on the day, which included the local community, Ennis Tri Club, the Gardai, the Civil Defence, Irish Coast Guard, the Defence forces and also all the sponsors of the event. Without all of these people the event would not be possible.

Thank you also to all the athletes and see you in 2011!!

From all the Race Committee of the Brian Boru Tri Challenge.

Could someone please write a club race report and send it to chair [at] ennistriclub [dot] com

Thanks
Paddy