Derry gears up for City of Culture Triathlon
Derry is gearing up for its biggest triathlon next year as part of the City of Culture celebrations.
It’s hoped that many hundreds of triathletes from all over the country and beyond will descend on the Walled City for the endurance event next summer.
The sprint event will be held in addition organisers North West Triathlon Club’s annual signature event, the Liam Ball Sprint Triathlon but it is expected to attract even greater entries to mark Derry designation as City of Culture 2013. It’s expected that triathletes from far and wide will chose to make the city a destination next summer in order to take part in the event.
Unlike the Liam Ball Triathlon, the City of Culture triathlon will bring the River Foyle to life as it will begin with a 750m open water swim around the marina at Queens Quay. The swim will be followed by a 20 kilometre cycle involving two loops of the city, allowing the triathletes to enjoy a panoramic view of the city from both both Foyle Bridge and Craigavon Bridge, as well taking in Strand Rd, Limavady Rd and Culmore Road.
The most recently-built Foyle crossing will not be left out, as the Peace Bridge as well as the newly refurbished Ebrington Square will be the centrepieces in the 5 kilometre run which will finish at Derry City Council headquarters.
In preparation for the Foyle event, more than 40 members of North West Triathlon Club - which is the home of Olympic Triathlete Aileen Morrison - braved the frigid waters of the river recently before completing a ‘dry’ run of the cycle and run courses.
Eamon Harkin, of NWTC, told the Journal that the “trial run” was held in order to stage the perfect event to mark the City of Culture year. “This will be one of the biggest sporting events in the city during the City of Culture celebrations and we expect many hundreds of athletes to travel from all over the country and even beyond to take part.”
The 2013 City of Culture Triathlon is to be staged on June 23, when the Foyle waters will be much warmer.
For further information contact Paul McGilloway at North West Triathlon Club on 0044 (0)7828145964 or email info@northwesttriclub.com
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Weather for Derry
Tuesday 18 June 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 10 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: West
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Temperature: 10 C to 17 C
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