The Trilogy Triathlon Club proudly hosted a Junior Aquathlon at Ballinakill Outdoor Pool and Heywood Gardens, drawing participants aged 4 to 16 from various local clubs and communities. The event was a vibrant display of young athletic talent, camaraderie, and community spirit. Full story below image.
The youngest participants, aged 4 to 7, took part in the "Splash and Dash" event, enthusiastically swimming and splashing through the children’s pool before sprinting to the finish line. Older participants faced more challenging courses, swimming different distances in the heated 30m pool and running along the picturesque Heywood Garden Trail by the lake.
Each participant was greeted at the finish line with an array of delightful rewards, including swim hats from Water-Safety Ireland, drink bottles from Race Right Cycles, bags of jellies from Bosco’s Catering, and the coveted Tri Laois Medal. To top it all off, they enjoyed a refreshing ice cream cone.
The event’s success was bolstered by the contributions of Laois Sports Partnership, which provided a finish line gantry that, along with Trilogy’s podium, served as the perfect backdrop for celebratory photos. The sunny weather added to the cheerful atmosphere, as excitement and nerves filled the air, with each young athlete encouraged to complete their course at their own pace.
Prizes were awarded to the top three male and female finishers, adding a competitive edge to the friendly event.
Race Director Aoife McEvoy shared her delight, saying, “It was great to see many club members' children take part, groups from local clubs like the Laois Marlins, Piranha, Athy, and Naas triathlon clubs, and St Michael’s running club, along with those who traveled far and wide from Limerick and Finglas triathlon clubs. Many local children also completed the event.”
McEvoy also extended her gratitude, stating, “The club is very grateful to the Civil Defence, who support us each year, and to Triathlon Ireland, who sanction the event and provide Technical Officials for the day. Ballinakill pool is a fantastic facility that Trilogy members use for swim training each week during the summer, and it is a privilege to have Heywood Gardens on our doorstep. A special mention and thank you to over 30 Trilogy club members who volunteered on the morning to ensure the smooth running of the day. It’s always an enjoyable event to marshal and be a part of.”
Reflecting on the event's impact, McEvoy concluded, “We may not have had any Irish Triathletes in Paris in 2024, but with the talent on display Sunday at Ballinakill, Ireland’s triathlon future is bright. Watch this space!”
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