Sprint Triathlon

Entry is now open on the triathlon ireland website.
 
Rosses Point has a long tradition of triathlon going back over 35 years with the All Ireland Metalman Triathlon in its hayday attracting competitors from all over Ireland and abroad as well as the televisions cameras of RTE.
 
The event in its modern incarnation kicked off again in 2009 shortly after the Sligo Triathlon Club was formed.
 
It's a sprint distance event which means a 750m swim, 20km Cycle and finishes with a 5km run.
2009 saw the running of an Olympic Distance event which is double the distance of a sprint event in all disciplines.
 
The switch to sprint distance has opened up the event to more people and last year saw over 300 people take part in the event. There was a strong local contingent amongst these made up of seasoned atheltes and many doing their first triathlon.
 
The swim takes place along sandy Rosses Point beach, it is generally sheltered from ocean swell but does get quite a lot of wind meaning it can make for a choppy swim.
 
The large car park is used for transition to the bike, this route goes towards Sligo town via Ballywheelan and turns at Cartron returning to Rosses Point.
 
Having disembarked from their bikes, competitors run through Rosses Point Village and back to the finish area along the promenade.
 
It's an excellent venue for a triathlon with loads of parking and good vantage points for supporters to take in the race.
This years event (2012) will take place on Sunday 5th August.
 
These routes are of course subject to change so make sure to attend the event briefing.