The Year in Review: Middle Distance National Champs

Ideal conditions combined with stunning views set the scene for this years Middle Distance National Championships at Sheephaven Half 2019. The picturesque location, flat calm sea and air temperatures in the high teens, ensured the 400 athletes competing for the win had the ideal start to their race of 1,900m in the water, 90km on the bike and 21km on foot.

Chris Mintern and Hilary Hughes were crowned Middle Distance National Champions for 2019 following victory at Sheephaven, hosted by Letterkenny 247 Triathlon Club.

A first National triathlon title for Hughes

Hilary Hughes became the Middle Distance National Champions holder for 2019, with her first National Triathlon Title under her belt. Hughes put in an incredible performance to win comfortably over a field of experienced athletes.

Hughes came out of the water four minutes after leader Laura Wylie. Heather Foley was second out of the swim, followed by Maeve Maher McWilliams. The four minute gap did not distract the Middle Distance Champion as she put in a simply incredible 2hrs 28mins 20secs bike split.

Hughes showed no signs of letting up, and crossed the line to win her first national triathlon title with a finishing time of 4hrs 43mins 15secs. Hughes continued her successful season to attain the 2019 BMW Triathlon National Series title, a stellar first full season for the Westport Triathlon Club member.

Defending champion Heather Foley crossed the line in second place, nine minutes behind the winner. Maeve Maher McWilliams claimed third place in 4hrs 55mins 50secs, after passing fourth placed Laura Wylie in the closing stages of the run. A celebration all round for the 2019 Middle Distance Champions!

Age Group Winners

Age Group	Placing	First Name	Second Name	Club
25 – 29
	1	Laura	Wylie
	2	Helen	Perry	Tri Limits TC
	3	Eimeir	Walsh	Belpark TC
30 – 34
	1	Hilary	Hughes	Westport TC
	2	Maeve	Maher-Mcwilliams	Belpark TC
	3	Ellen	Vitting	Tri an Mhi TC
35 – 39
	1	Heather	Foley	Sligo TC
	2	Ellen	Murphy	Belpark TC
	3	Sarah	Stapleton	Pulse TC
40 – 44
	1	Jennifer	Duffy
	2	Jackie	Kelly	Athlone TC
	3	Dympna	Kelly	Lough Key TC
45 – 49
	1	Margaret	Kelly	247 TC
	2	Louise	O Shea	Galway TC
	3	Sasha	Gannon	Cavan TC
50 – 54
	1	Audrey	Phelan	Piranha TC
	2	Lisa	Bishop	Wicklow TC
	3	N/A
55 – 59
	1	Pauline	Leith	Wicklow TC
	2	N/A
	3	N/A
60 – 64
	1	June	Mcminn	Peninsula TC
	2
	3
70 – 74
	1	Roisin	Lynch	Northwest TC
	2
	3

Mintern Champion from the start

Chris Mintern earned the title of Middle Distance National Champion 2019 after leading Sheephaven Triathlon from start to finish. Mintern took an early lead, coming out of the water as the first swimmer in 27mins 21secs, nearly two minutes ahead of second place winner, Eoin Lyons.

Out of T1, Lyons struck back and almost bridged the entire deficit to Mintern by the 10km mark. Mintern responded by re-establishing his margin over the course of the hilly bike leg and completed the quickest split of the day – 2hrs 20mins and 06secs. Onto the half marathon and Mintern kept a static 2mins distance for most of the run. Lyons fought deep again and put in another incredible attack but was unable to overtake the winner.

Mintern crossed the line and took the title of 2019 Middle Distance National Champion in 4hrs 10mins 59secs of racing. Lyons crossed the line 19secs behind Mintern, while third place was earned by Michael McCarron in a very solid effort across all three disciplines.

Age Group winners

Age Group	Placing	First Name	Second Name	Club
20 – 24	1	Conor	Maguire	Omagh TC
	2	N/A
	3	N/A
25 – 29	1	Chris	Mintern	Cork TC
	2	Eoin	Lyons	Waterford TC
	3	Paul	Little	Lough Key TC
30 – 34	1	Conor	Tiernan	Hyper Speed TC
	2	Sean	McLaughlin	Northwest TC
	3	David	Sheridan	247 TC
35 – 39	1	Michael	McCarron
	2	Ron	Lennon	Galway TC
	3	Jonathan	Morris	Belpark TC
40 – 44	1	Brian	Sexton
	2	Mark	Breen	Galway TC
	3	Dermot	Logue	Clonmel TC
45 – 49	1	Owen	Martin
	2	Garry	Hall
	3	Paul	Rutherford	Sligo TC
50 – 54	1	Mark	Rushby	Peninsula TC
	2	Sam	Cordner	Lisburn TC
	3	Chris	McGuigan	Omagh TC
55 – 59	1	John	Connaghan	247 TC
	2	Ronnie	Kidd
	3	Gerard	McGettigan
60 – 64	1	Dermot	Connolly	Northwest TC
	2	Peter	McLaughlin	Northwest TC
	3	Paul	Kelly	247 TC
65 – 69	1	Gerard	Turbitt	Omagh TC
	2	Jim	Gallagher
	3	N/A

PICTURE GALLERIES, RACE COVERAGE & RACE REPORTS

Rewatch the best moments from the 2019 BMW Triathlon National Series through live event coverage posted on the Triathlon Ireland Facebook Page, where you will also find thousands of images from this summer’s series.

Race Reports from each event can be found on the TI website.

All the medalists will be presented with their silverware at the 2019 Triathlon Ireland Awards Night on the 23rd November 2019 in The Conrad Hotel, Dublin. Click here for tickets.