Mixed Relay Championships 2016

Belpark made a very strong showing at the inaugural draft legal Mixed Relay Championships held on Saturday 9th July in Belvedere House, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath. Up for grabs to the top 1st and 2nd placed teams were entries to represent Ireland at the European club relay championships.

Belpark had four teams entered, representing both the elite end and a cross section of our up and coming athletes, selected based on combination of speed and style. Overall it was a great day out, despite some pretty inclement weather. The course was a complex one with a number of run sections between both transition & swim & relay tag zone.

For the swim, there was last minute notice that wetsuits were optional as water temperature was about 15.9deg. Swim was short but choppy. The poor weather and earlier race (Lust For Life Ironmind Sprint) resulted in cross country conditions for the run and very slippy transition areas. Bike section was short and hard with little chance of drafting once the field spread out after the swim, with a particularly treacherous dismount area.

The Belpark teams acquitted themselves well, with a great result from our top team to fight into 3rd position and maintain it to the final relay section, beaten only by a top class set of teams from Cork Tri (1st) and Limerick Tri (2nd).

A couple of hardy Belparks also travelled down to support which was appreciated by all involved.

Report by Eoin Greene