Top award for Longford: Progressive Lanesboro Triathlon Club wins national accolade

Triathlon Ireland held their annual awards night in the Clayton Hotel, Dublin on Saturday night last and once again our local Lough Ree Triathlon Club were again nominated for an award, this time in the ‘Race of the Year’ category. 

Lanesboro Triathlon club was formed in 2010 just 15 years ago and since their inception they have been one of the most progressive clubs in the country along with hosting the wonderful Two Provinces sprint triathlon every year. 

For a club that is such a relatively short time in existence they were nominated and awarded Club of the Year in 2019 and on Saturday night last November 8 they were awarded the Triathlon Ireland ‘Race of the Year’. 

Lanesboro Tri club is a community sporting group like no other with extensive membership from many parts along with a massive community support. 

The Two Provinces Triathlon every July is a massive event in the community and the support it receives from the community is nothing short of unbelievable. 

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People year on year have been taking time from their work and other chores to help steward the race, to give of their time to creating a warm, welcoming and safe competition. 

As a steward nobody moves from their post until the last swimmer is out, the last cyclist is back at transition and the last runner crosses the finishing line. 

Not only the stewards but the people living on the route of the cycle and the running race offer their support to those unfortunate to experience problems. 

This race is truly a community event and it is testimony to the Tri Club that they are held in the highest regard. 

Also read: Longford's Lanesboro Triathlon Club shines with Two Provinces Weekend

This year has been a momentous year for the club as it is in the midst of its preparation to move into its new premises, the old tomato shed, that was donated to the club by ESB. 

Presently there are refurbishments being made to the building that will be their new home in early 2026. 

To have put 15 years behind them, having a new central training centre base, Club of the Year 2019 and Race of the Year in 2025 is an acknowledgement to the young men and women that started the club, who are still an active presence in and around the club, and to those that have since taken the mantle of continuing to create such a successful, growing and vibrant club we salute you on your tremendous achievement.

What we have shown from the awards of last weekend - The ‘Abbey’ Cloontuskert were also honoured at the all island Pride of Place community awards in Limerick - is that we continue to display every reason to come to live, work, play, create employment in a community that for so many years has been so welcoming, progressive and continues to develop with the support of all its community members. 

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Our community shows we have the best of people and we have proved to be very resilient in the face of the adversity that we had befall upon with the closure of the Power Station and the negligible work force remaining in Bord na Móna. 

We are determined not to be left behind and with the remarkable abilities and fortitude of so many people of great intellect and perception who have the determination to create our community into a vibrant and thriving community and we are sure to prosper. 

The actions of these two successful groups on an All-Ireland stage along with the many other progressive groups within our community shows we are the place to be.

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