McCarron and McConnell – Aquathlon National Champions 2021

The 2021 National Aquathlon Championships were held last weekend at The Lake Kilrea for the second year running. Hosted by Triangle Triathlon Club, the 1K swim and 5K run was the perfect setting for fast, contained racing with all the swimming and running action visible from a single vantage point. 

Athletes were greeted with a familiar face on the day as Olympian Russell White joined race organiser, Peter Jack, on the mic to send off athletes on their racing.

Russel gave a piece of his Olympic advice to the Juniors starting out in the Youth series races:

Just go out there and have fun, the nerves will go as soon as you dive in and you won’t think about it after the first stroke. Just calm yourselves down and enjoy the experience. Have fun, its a great course out there, the water is lovely!

Luke McCarron wins Men’s race

Luke McCarron crossed the finish line 3 seconds over 30 minutes, 0:30:03. McCarron did an impressive swim of 0:13:07 to then run his 5K in 0:16:07.

Speaking to Luke after the race he said

I had to chase hard for the first lap of the run, but once I got into the lead it was just a case of holding on. The body felt good and the legs felt good so it was good overall.

Ralf Bodamer was second over the line in 0:31:09. Bodamer was 8 seconds behind winner McCarron after the swim and went on to complete the 5k run in 0:17:25

Sabian Kulczynski was third over the line with a finish time of 0:31:39.

A weekend of 1st places for Erin McConnell

It was two wins in two days for Erin McConnell. McConnell was crowned Aquathlon National Champion less than 24 hours after he took first place on Saturday in Round 3 of the BMW National Series at Mourne Triathlon. Erin had the fastest swim on the day in both male and female categories in a time of 00:12:59. Erin crossed the line in 00:32:11. Speaking to Erin after the race she said

It was a nice swim, and out on the run I knew my team mate was behind me so I kept running as fast as I could the whole way, counting down each lap.

The run felt really good today so that’s a positive tick in the box, so I am really happy.

Maeve Gallagher, 2nd overall, was on the heels of McConnell in the run. Gallagher finished the 1K swim in 00:14:06 and had the fastest 5K run in the women’s race in 00:17:53. Maeve crossed the line with a finishing time of 00:32:35.

Taking third place in the womens race was Emma O’Brien with a finishing time of 00:34:19.

Para Athletes, Chloe and Judith race at Kilrea

The MacCombe sisters, Chloe and Judith both raced at the Lake Kilrea Aquathlon this weekend. Chloe and Judith both raced with their guides in the 1K Swim and 5K Run. Chloe crossed the line in 00:49:22 followed by Judith in a finishing time of 00:55:59.

Results

Results of the National Aquathlon Champs and Youth Series are available on championchipireland.com