Tri With Pride 2022

Following on from the great success of our virtual Tri with Pride program 2021, Triathlon Ireland and Sporting Pride partnered up this summer to run another programme. Read on to find out all about the excitement of race-day, and to find out about Sligo Tri’s upcoming programme.

In Person Training

Both the 2021 and 2022 programs were similar in some aspects. They were coached for 8 weeks with an online program, had weekly Zoom check-ins, and weekly strength & conditioning sessions.

However, this year athletes got to participate together in an in-person training session with Triathlon Ireland Development Officers, Gary Crossan and Eleanor Condon.  The Skerries Triathlon on 12th of June saw three members of the group become fully fledged triathletes as they completed their first ever triathlon!

The Programme

During each weekly check-in session and strength & conditioning session, the athletes really engaged and got to know each other, and finally got to meet in person at the training session.

Great fun was had by all at the training day. They got to practice some bike handling skills, transition skills, a recce of the bike course, and got to experience the dreaded  ‘jelly legs’ feeling on the run after their cycle!

Putting it All Together

On the morning of the race, the sun shined brightly and behind the nervous smiles, the athletes were race-ready. The sea conditions were good, and all athletes made it out happy, relieved, and ready to take on the bike course.  The athletes recced the fast, flat bike course in advance, which certainly gave a great confidence boost. Their transition practice resulted in super dismounts and a quick change to the run course. With fantastic support from their friends and family whilst running, they were absolutely buzzing.

Beaming smiles over the finish line and a real sense of accomplishment, all three were euphoric and ready to sign up to their next event!

Eoin O’Donnell commented after the race “I really enjoyed the challenge, I’m trying to rope in a few friends and hopefully enter as a relay in some of the events later in the summer”.

Sporting Pride Community Group Liaison, Alicia McConnell said; “I would like to do another triathlon as it was definitely motivating”.

Clare Brogan said it was fantastic and she will  “Definitely continue to do more and I’ve 5 kids and my two brothers who were all inspired Sunday to do them too”

Well done Alicia, Clare, Eoin and the rest of the group – such a great achievement!

Sligo Tri With Pride Programme

Sligo Triathlon Club have this week launched a Tri With Pride programme and Try a Tri event. Training begins in early July and the event will take place in August. The programme is being run in partnership with Sligo Sport and Recreation Partnership, Sligo Pride, Sport Ireland, Triathlon Ireland, Sporting Pride and Swim Ireland.

Everyone is welcome! As well as members of the LGBTQ+ community, we invite their friends, family and allies to also take part in what is we hope will be a really fun and enjoyable introduction to the sport.

For all the details, and to register, see the Sligo Triathlon Website here.
If you have any questions about the programme, contact pro@sligotriathlon.ie

How Can your Club get Involved?

It’s really easy to organise a Tri With Pride New to Tri Programme, and encourage more members of the LGBTQ+ community to take part in triathlon.

There is funding available for New to Tri programmes, and lots of support from our team of Development Officers in getting your programme setup.

If your club would like to get involved, you can contact:

Munster – Eleanor Condon

Leinster – Gary Crossan

Mayo/Galway – Denise Murphy

Donegal/Sligo/Leitrim/Roscommon/Cavan – Natasha Kelly

Northern Ireland – Amina Martin