FAST and FRIENDLY

TriAthy aims to be Ireland's Fast and Competitor-Friendly Triathlon.

Whether it’s an improved "Personal Best" you're looking for, or the easiest course to do your first triathlon, we believe that TriAthy is your BEST CHOICE.

A triathlon is a demanding endeavour, so we don’t see the need to add extra obstacles like Atlantic waves, Hills and Rough roads!!! We believe the TriAthy course will be fast and easy for the following reasons:

The FASTEST (AND CLEANEST) Tri-SWIM COURSE IN IRELAND: The TriAthy SPRINT swim will be 100% downstream for all 750m. The TriAthy OLYMPIC swim will be downstream with the current for 1150m and only against the current for 350m in the section of river where the current is slowest (the inside of a river bend). Another positive point to note is that this section of the River Barrow is designated as a ‘Special Area of Conservation’ (SAC) due to its environmental importance and water is going to be pumped from the Barrow at Athy for Dublin drinking water, so good water quality in the Barrow is a standard.

The FASTEST Tri-CYCLE COURSE IN IRELAND: The SPRINT and OLYMPIC cycle are both 'Out-and-Back' courses which generally follows the path of the River Barrow for 10km on the R417 (Athy-Carlow road). This 10km stretch is as flat as the river with a total altitude difference of only 20m across the entire route.

The FASTEST Tri-RUN COURSE IN IRELAND: Both runs follow the River Barrow and the Grand Canal, so they are also pancake flat!!! Ideal to push for that "PB" or relatively easy if you’re on your last energy reserves.

The FASTEST TRANSITION IN IRELAND: The single transition will be nestled between the River and the road used for the cycle. The transition will operate on the simple ‘in one side, out the other’ for both the swim-bike and run-bike transitions. Competitors will not have to drag their bike on a long doglegs around the transition, so again saving time and we also believe helping to avoid injuries. The transition will be square in plan, this will keep its length and the length you have to run to a minimum. This is an often overlooked area, but an extra 90 seconds in each transition, due to a long transition will make your time 5% slower over the sprint distance, to get this speed gain from a new bike could easily cost a few thousand!!

INTERESTING STAT:

46% of 2007 TriAthy respondents (250+) achieved a Personal Best Time. (2007 Post Race Competitor E-Survey)

Our race is competitor friendly also - here's why:

YOU CHOOSE YOUR OWN START WAVE: Both the SPRINT and OLYMPIC races will have three different start waves, nominally called Fast, Medium and Slow. However we won’t dictate what wave you start in. If you want to start with your workmate, wife, training partner etc, just ensure they put down the same wave when entering.

FASTER RACE REGISTRATION: Our 2007 Entrants really liked our fast and efficient race registration - we believe this is an important strength to our race which we hope we can enhance for 2008.

KEEPING TRACK: The cycle and run routes will be chosen to help competitors keep track of their friends, family, or opponents!!! You won’t be stuck out on a lonely country road with nobody but the west wind as company.

SPECTATOR FRIENDLY: The swim will go through two bridges, while the cycle and run courses are multilap, so anybody that you are cheering on will never be far away. Another point to note is that unlike most triathlons in Ireland, the first person across the line will be the winner; there will not be a long wait to get a computer print-out from the timing chip people to find out who the winner is. This will allow us to present prizes as the last person crosses the finish line, you will not have to wait the typical 2-6 hours for the prize giving!

FUN: We want to make TriAthy a FUN AND ENTERTAINING event for competitors and spectators alike. Whether you're new to triathlon or an experienced veteran we believe you will enjoy TriAthy and make this THE annual Tri-event in the Irish Tri-calander.

Plans are already afoot to enhance our post-race entertainment and prize ceremony for 2008. Rumour has it a HOG-ROAST FEAST will await finishers at the 2008 race!!! More about this closer to race day!!!

ANOTHER INTERESTING STAT:

99.5% of TriAthy survey respondents intend to do TriAthy 2008. (2007 Post Race Competitor E-Survey)

WE LOOK FORWARD TO WELCOMING YOU ALL TO ATHY ON SATURDAY 31st MAY 2008

MAKE SURE TO REGISTER EARLY TO SECURE YOUR ENTRY