Limerick To Host European Duathlon Championships

Limerick Triathlon Club (LTC) with the support of Shannon Development, Shannon Region Conference and Sports Bureau, Limerick City Council, University of Limerick Arena and Triathlon Ireland has announced that Europe's top duathletes and triathletes will converge on Limerick City on 16-17 April 2011 to contest the European Duathlon Championships.



Speaking at the announcement of the 2011 event John Deegan, Chairman of Limerick Triathlon Club said: “It is a great honour for Limerick and Triathlon Ireland to be awarded the staging of the European Duathlon Championships. It is a major boost for the sport and is a testament to Ireland's ability to host international events, with this year's European Championships in Athlone being a resounding success.”



“The club has a strong tradition of hosting some of the best races in the country. I am also delighted to announce that St. Gabriels School & Centre in Dooradoyle is the chosen charity for this event”, he added.



The Championships are expected to attract approximately 600 overseas visitors. Between 70 and 100 elite competitors are expected to participate in the main race event with a further 1000 competitors taking part in a separate open race.



According to Triathlon Ireland CEO Matt McKerrow: “It is both an exciting development and another forward step for the continued development of the sport. Triathlon continues to expand with membership growing from 800 in 2006 to 5566 in 2010. The hosting of events such as this is vitally important to the continued development of the sport in Ireland.”



The event will feature two categories, namely the Championship and Open race designations. In the most challenging Championship category, athletes will complete a 10-km run before pedalling a 40-km bike around Limerick City, finishing with a 5-km run. The Open race, which is open to relay teams, will encompass a less challenging course with shorter time durations.



For more on the 2011 European Duathlon Championships, including training schedules and registration, visit www.limericktriathlon.com.