Chris Mintern & Sarah Diamond are 2026 Standard Distance National Champions
The iconic Base2Race Harbourman once again delivered a brilliant day of racing as Wicklow Triathlon Club hosted the 2026 Standard Distance National Championships, and Round 8 of the Triathlon National Series.
After a week of soaring temperatures, cooler conditions and a welcome breeze made for excellent racing, with stacked fields in both the open and female races producing battles right through the field.
Our photographers were out on course all day, so keep an eye on our race galleries (linked below) and don’t forget to tag @triathlonireland when you share your photos!
Chris Mintern claimed his eighth national title with a composed performance from start to finish, ten years after winning his first Standard Distance crown at Hell of the West in 2016.
Out of the rolling-start swim, Mintern led a strong front group that included Piranha’s Sean McMahon and Liquid Motion’s Shane Dunne. From there, the race began to take shape on the 40km bike, with David Higgins moving into second place and McMahon holding third.
Mintern never looked under serious pressure over the closing 10km and crossed the line in first to extend his remarkable championship record.
Behind Chris Mintern, David Higgins held onto second despite a determined chase from National Triathlon Centre athlete Sean McMahon, whose 34:14 run split was one of the quickest of the day to claim bronze in the National Championship. Only Belpark’s Leo Corry ran faster, clocking an impressive 33:49.
Open Podium
- Chris Mintern – Cobh TC (1:57:44)
- David Higgins (2:00:05)
- Sean McMahon – Piranha TC (2:01:20)
Home Glory for Diamond
There was home success in the women’s race as Wicklow’s Sarah Diamond claimed her first national title.
The rolling-start swim meant the race unfolded in stages. Naoise O’Donnell and Niamh Coffey from Killarney TC were first out of the water, while Niamh Staunton (starting further back) posted one of the fastest swim splits before beginning to work her way through the field.
Everything changed on the bike. Sarah Diamond produced a 1:03:58 split to put more than three minutes into her nearest rivals, and take control of the race. Megan Roberts also surged through the field to move into second, while Niamh Coffey and Belpark’s Andrea Brennan started the run shoulder-to-shoulder with Naoise O’Donnell chasing them down.
Behind the front pack, Niamh Staunton continued to reel athletes in on the run, recording the fastest 10km split of the day in 38:09 to secure the final podium place.
Diamond crossed the line to cheers from her clubmates, Piranha’s Megan Roberts in second. Niamh Staunton completes the podium in third.
FEMALE PODIUM
- Sarah Diamond – Wicklow TC (2:18:47)
- Megan Roberts – Piranha TC (2:21:06)
- Niamh Staunton (2:22:23)
GALLERY
Inpho Photography’s Gallery of Images
