A strong North West contingent will line out for the 31st annual Liam Ball Triathlon, which takes place in Derry tomorrow morning.
Mark Murray of the North West Triathlon Club is considered a contender in the men’s event, while Triathlon Ireland development squad members, NWTC teenagers Odhran McKane and Luke McCarron, are also expected to be among the top finishers.
Elite local female triathletes Triona McMenamin from Letterkenny’s 24-7 TC, Katherine Woods from Triangle TC and North West TC’s Emma-Jo McConnellogue are expected to be in the mix for top female honours at the event.
Taking part in the race for a 31st time will be local men Terry Donnelly and Danny Sheerin while veteran Irish international age group triathlete Roisin Lynch will be lining up for her 30th outing in the competition.
Other top athletes to watch are returning champions James Walton from Triangle Triathlon Club and Sligo’s Laura Tighe of Go Tri. Walton is expected to face stiff competition from last year’s second placed male Bernard McCullagh.
Around 250 people will take part in the sprint distance event which comprises a 750m pool swim followed by a 20km bike ride and a 5k run, and is one of Ireland longest running triathlons.
The first of eight waves in the 2016 Liam Ball Sprint will get underway in the pool at Templemore Sports Complex at 8.00am with the last wave - the elite males – starting at 11.20am.
The annual triathlon is dedicated to the memory of Derry's two-time Olympic swimmer Liam Ball, whose family is closely associated with the race.
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