“LADIES AND gentlemen, you’ve heard of the hurt-locker?” the event’s master of ceremonies boomed into the microphone, “Well, this is Athlone’s answer to it.”
He wasn’t exaggerating. Athletes fell over the finish line gasping for air. One was given oxygen, two others lay on the ground, drained and exhausted.
The crowds cheered and applauded. One child asked his father if all the athletes would survive.
Just beyond the finish line, diners sitting outside De Mad Hoor burger house, munching into quarter pounders and large fries, looked on, mildly horrified.
For the past four days the town has played host to Tri-Athlone, a four-day triathlon event featuring 4,000 competitors of all ages and abilities. It also included the European Triathlon Championships for the first time, featuring 120 of the world’s top tri-athletes.
The course involved swimming down the River Shannon, whizzing through the streets by bike, and then dashing on foot to the finish line at the top of Church Road.
John Martin, chief executive of Waterways, the main sponsor for the event, had hoped for dry weather. As it turned out, it was a glorious summer’s weekend. “The water’s warm, the sun is shining, it’s perfect triathlon weather,” he said, with a note of disbelief.
Tens of thousands of supporters were out in force, with national flags and home-made banners. “We’re supporting the Swiss team,” said Alexander Schawalder, draped in a red and white flag. “Nicola Spirig from Switzerland takes part in the elite women’s race. She will win.”
And win it, she did, gaining her second back-to-back European title, 12 seconds ahead of her nearest rival. Ireland’s Aileen Morrison just missed out on a podium finish. In an exciting finale to the men’s elite event, the current world champion Alistair Brownlee of the UK took first place, powering ahead of Spain’s highly fancied Javier Gomez.
The weekend wasn’t all about elite athletes. All age groups were invited to take part in categories like the “try-a-tri” with its shorter distances, and the “open sprint” which involved a 750m swim, 20km cycle, 5km run. The elite internationals competed at the Olympic distances (1500m swim, 40km bike and 10km run).
If there was any doubt that age was a barrier to taking part, then Aado Liblikmann dismissed it. The 74-year-old from Estonia was delighted to get a silver medal in his age category. “I train eight hours a week,” he said. “I love it.”
Triathlons are Ireland’s fastest growing sport, with numbers taking part in Athlone’s event growing four-fold over the past four years. For athletes like Matt Molloy (41), a Londoner with Irish parents, the appeal of the sport is its variety - and the unlikely chance of glory in middle age. “Anyone can do it. Just four years ago I was over 16 stone, drinking a bit too much. Now, I’m competing for a medal in my age category. All you need is commitment and an understanding partner – or you’re heading for the divorce courts!”