On Sunday 5th March 2017, members of Riada Triathlon Club arose early to a fine, crisp and dry morning. Members and friends of the club promptly arrived at the Joey Dunlop Leisure Centre, to help prepare for the club’s popular spring duathlon (2 mile run, 10 mile bike, 2 mile run). Keen competitors arrived early and before long the car park was filling with the 97 athletes registered. Calming nerves before the start, some perused the wares for sale by Coucon Outdoor.
The horn blasted promptly at 10am and the athletes took off around the first lap of the run with Rhodri Jones taking an early lead and holding his place to the end of the race taking overall 1st place in a time of 48:22:0 with overall second going to junior Rob Rob Lawrence in a time of 49:20.8. Alana McMullan took the female win in a time of 56:18:2. The junior prize went to Tiernan Convery and the team prize to Team Knox/Blee/Goode.
Photographers conveniently positioned throughout the course were delighted with the blue sky backdrop for their pictures as they captured memories for the athletes and club alike. Following the duathlon, competitors were treated to a fine spread of finger food and beverages, with many taking the opportunity to have a free sports massage by local masseuse Karen Taggart.
The club would like to thank the following businesses for donating prizes: Kinesis neuromuscular physio (Galgorm), Coucon Outdoor, Joey Dunlop Leisure Centre , 55 degrees North Restaurant , Tides Restaurant , Deerstalker Bar & Bistro (Golflinks), Newbridge Restaurant , Domino’s Pizza, Bob and Berts, Halfords, to Biesty’s Centra for their continued support with after race refreshments and to the staff of Joey Dunlop Leisure Centre for all their help in setting up and refreshments. We would also like to thank all our members and friends of the club who gave the time to marshal and help on the morning – we couldn’t have done it without you. Finally, the field of competitors consisted of seasoned athletes to those completing a duathlon for the first time and we at Riada Triathlon Club would like to congratulate ALL who took part and gave it their all! You are all winners!
Male Placings
1st Rhodri Jones 00:48:22.0
2nd Rob Lawrence 00:49:20.8
3rd Jonathan Dempsey 00:49:42.2
Female Placings:
1st Alana Mc Mullan 00:56:18.2
2nd Janine Gordon 01:00:20.3
3rd Charley Corbett 01:02:51.0
Junior Placings:
1st Tiernan Convery 00:58:45.5
Relay Placings:
Team Knox/Blee/Goode 00:55:52.4
Complete results can be found on Racesplitter here
