Finbar retains triathlon title

Finbar retains triathlon title

22 August 2018

NOW in its third year, the Portaferry Triathlon, organised by Narrows Triathlon Club, had its biggest ever turnout with a record 149 participants. 

Competitors travelled from as far as Belgium, England and Wales to take part in the event. The sun shone as spectators lined the shore front to watch the sporting action with children enjoying the free bouncy castles and face painting.  

At 12.45pm participants left Strangford to undertake the 900m swim across Strangford Lough.

It was a sight to behold as bright green swim caps dotted the water as the participants battled the current to make their way to the marina in Portaferry. 

After ditching their wet suits the athletes embarked on the 21.5km cycle before finishing with a 5km out and back run along the Portaferry coastline.

Finbar McGrady of Newry Triathlon Club was in fighting form, clinching the top place for the second year running, finishing in one hour five minutes, shaving more than a minute of his 2017 time. 

Luke McCarron of North West Triathlon Club finished in second place with a time of 1:7 with local lad Daniel McManus of Narrows Triathlon Club securing third place finishing in 1:9.

Helen Perry from Dromore finished strongly in 1:22 and Martsje Hell from Hillsborough of Lisburn Triathlon Club clinched second female position in 1:2.

She was closely followed by Naomi Broughton from Belfast of Olympian Triathlon Club who was just five seconds behind. 

The relay prize went to the Last of the Summer Wine team made up of Ian Withers, Neill Radford and Jason Donnan.

The event was organised by the Narrows Triathlon Club and sponsored by Portaferry Regeneration Ltd, Ards and North Down Borough Council, Portaferry Hotel, HBS, Athlos Triathlon, Centra Portaferry, Progressive Building Society and Brownfield Bike Repairs and Restorations. 

Narrows Tri Club would like to thank all the volunteers who helped to make the event such a great success, Neal Ritchie from Explore Home Photography for capturing the event on camera and all the marshals who worked tirelessly to keep competitors safe. Photos and videos of the Portaferry Triathlon can be viewed on the Narrows Tri Club Facebook page.