Hundreds limber up for Liam Ball Triathlon

The event will see elite and seasoned age group triathletes compete for honours while a record number of first timers have signed up for this year’s swim-bike-run challenge.

Sponsored by Total Cycling, the annual event was sold out within days of the launch and all eyes will be on last year’s winner, Paul Carroll of Olympian Triathlon Club, as he attempts to retain his crown. That said, the 2013 runner-up, Kristopher Muldoon of ‘Dig Deep Coaching’ will be vying go one better this time around.

Among the female competitors expected to shine on Sunday is last year’s winner Caoimhe Ni Mhurchu of Sligo Triathlon Club while North-West Triathlon Club’s very own Maeve Maher-McWilliams will be hoping to continue her good form of last season with an impressive performance on home soil.

The entries have been split into six waves with the first competitors beginning the 750 metre pool swim, 20 kms cycle and 5 kms run at 8.30am with the last wave, the elite males, competing for honours from 10.55am.

A total of 184 men and 41 women, including 40 novices, will take part in the event.

Triathletes from as young as 16-years-old will be competing while veterans such as Derry’s own Danny Sheerin and Terry Donnelly will be taking part in their 29th Liam Ball event, having finished every triathlon since its inception.

North West Triathlon Club veteran Roisin Lynch, who represented Ireland at the Triathlon World Championships in London last year, will be taking part in her home competition for the 28th time.

Race Director Patrick McLaughlin said the event had proven “as popular as always” this year.

“Entries were sold out within a few days of our launch and, as usual, the event has attracted triathletes from all over the country.

“The Liam Ball Triathlon is one of the longest running sporting events in the city and one of the highlights in the North-West’s sporting calendar - it’s also the longest running triathlon in Ireland.

“A lot of planning has gone into this year’s race to ensure that it is yet another safe and enjoyable event and we as a club would like to thank everyone involved in its organisation,” he added.

Registration for the event will be held at the Coffee Dock, Templemore Sports Complex on Saturday from 4pm to 5.30pm and again on Sunday morning from 7.15am to 8.45pm.

A prize giving ceremony will take place in Templemore Sports Complex at 1pm.