Posted: July 4, 2004

Triathlon: Behan and Paul Win Irish Sprint Championships

July 4th: Irish Sprint Championships in Antrim Marina, Antrim (750m Swim, 20km Cycle, 5km Run)

Race Report:

Hi Elbow Triathlon Club promoted a very exciting Sprint championship around the tried and tested Antrim circuit. Conditions were perfect for the field of over 100 competitors who entered the cool waters of Lough Neagh for the 11am start.

A fast pace was set from the start and at the end of the 750m swim it was swim specialist Claire Connor who had produced a great swim to put clear water between herself and the nearest swimmer who was Eanna McGrath. Cross Channel swimmer and leading veteran athlete Ciaran Cassidy was an isolated third before a pack of swimmers emerged including pre race favourite Bobby Behan and leading Junior Erin Turkington.

The out and back cycle course saw several athletes making moves as they hit a good rhythm on the fast circuit. Bobby Behan has been awesome on the bike all year and produced the days fastest bike split to move up from 5th to 1st place. However Brian Crinion also powered his way through the field, moving up from 11th to 3rd spot. Erin Turkington quickly passed Claire Connor to take the overall lead in the female race but both Ann Paul and Jane Waugh closed the gap to make for an exciting run leg.

The run course is flat and centred around the Castle grounds. As the athletes twisted their way around the forest paths, it was Bobby Behan who held a lead of around 30 seconds on Eanna McGrath with Crinion a further 20 seconds behind. However veteran Ciaran Cassidy was having a terrific race and was holding 4rd spot overall. At the finish Behan claimed the Irish Sprint title from McGrath with last years winner Crinion in 3rd. Kevin MacAllister from the promoting Hi Elbow Club had a great race to finish 11th overall and regain his Irish Junior title. Erin Turkington produced a gutsy run but was just caught by the incredible Ann Paul in the closing stages. Many times Irish Champion Ann has only returned to racing after an injury that threatened to end her career. She was a most popular winner of yet another Irish title. Turkington was 2nd female overall and won the Irish junior title. Jane Waugh and Claire Connor followed her home.

Hi Elbow's Tommy Linton presented the awards and thanked all those marshals and volunteers who helped to make the race another safe and enjoyable event. The next big promotion is the Michelob Ultra Lough Neagh Triathlon on the 14th August at Ballyronan, Cookstown. It is Irelands only ITU World Ranking race and is sure to be an event not to be missed.

Results MALE 1 Bobby Behan, Galway 1.03.00 2 Eanna McGrath, Dublin, 1.03.30 3 Brian Crinion, Dublin. 1.03.58 4 Thomas Elliot, Belfast, 1.04.56 5 Neil Darby, Belfast, 1.06.17 FEMALE 1 Ann Paul, Portrush, 1.12.34 2 Jane Waugh,Banbridge, 1.14.47 3 Claire Connor, 1.16.57 MALE VETERAN 1 Ciaran Cassidy, Dublin, 1.05.36 2 Ronnie Kidd, Coleraine, 1.09.18 3 Johnny McCabe, 1.13.02 MALE JUNIOR 1 Kevin MacAllister, Ballymena, 1 09.12 2 Paul McKenna, Lurgan, 1.15.56 FEMALE VETERAN 1 Joanne Bingham, Belfast, 1.17.21 FEMALE JUNIOR 1 Erin Turkington, Lurgan, 1.13.08 2 Oonagh Murphy, Portadown, 1.27.39 Other Irish Results: July 3rd: World Student Triathlon Championships in Palma de Mallorca 1500m Swim, 40km Cycle, 10km Run Men 1. F. Ospaly CZE 2. S Wealing USA 3. R. Wild SUI other 10. Gavin Noble IRL Women 1. H. Lawrence GBR 2. L. Radova CZE 3. V. Frintova CZE other Caroline Kearney IRL Heather Wilson IRL July 4th: World Long Distance Triathlon Championships in Sater, Sweden 4km Swim, 120km Cycle, 30km Run Men 1. T. Sindballe DEN 5.46.14 2. J. Colting SWE 5.46.57 3. M. VanHoen BEL 5.51.10 other 44. Richard Brady IRL 7.11.03 Women 1. T. Kozulina UKR 6.41.29 2. L. Kristensen DAN 6.42.12 3. S. Jongstra NED 6.43.30 other 30. Trudy Brown IRL 7.47.52 July 4th Ironman Austria, Karnten, Austria 3.8KM Swim, 180KM Cycle, 42.2KM Run MEN (Ironmen) 1. V. Zyemtsev UKR 8.12.59 2. S. Tissink RSA 8.17.49 3. O. Sabat GER 8.21.55 other 60. Paul O'Doherty IRL 9.26.15 111. Allistair Duffield IRL 9.45.56 155. Mark Riseley IRL 9.54.13 231. Aidan O'Callaghan IRL 10.09.24 363. Eamon Hill IRL 10.33.34 389. Eamon McConvey IRL 10.38.03 466. Neil O'Brien IRL 10.48.18 556. Dave Madigan IRL 11.00.54 From: Wes Murphy, Triathlon Ireland