Race Report & Gallery: Triathlon National Series – City of Derry Triathlon 2026
Round 16 of the 2026 Triathlon National Series, the City of Derry Triathlon took place on Saturday 5th September.
With the event returning to the city for the first time since 2017 and attracting a sold-out 500 triathletes, the race providing one of the final opportunities for Age-Group athletes to collect Triathlon National Series points this season and for many Age Group athletes to prepare for Pontevedra at the end of September.
Triathlon National Series Age-Group Race
The Triathlon National Series Age-Group race started at Fort William with a rolling start into a 750m swim in the tidal River Foyle, triathletes then took the mix of spectator lined city streets and a rolling bike course out into the countryside, before returning to the city for a 5km riverside run, including a crossing of the Peace Bridge and finish at Ebrington Square under the same arch as the Europe Triathlon Cup – City of Derry adding to the electric atmosphere.
Dunne wins round 15
Shane Dunne from Liquid Motion Tri Club followed up his Dublin City Triathlon win and was first across the line in the Open race in 1:01:39, including his standard fastest swim split.
Joshua Schnell of Athlone Triathlon Club finished second in 1:02:53, with Sean McLaughlin of host club Northwest Triathlon Club third in 1:03:43.
Open Podium
3rd Sean McLaughlin – Northwest Tri Club – 1:03:43
1st Shane Dunne Liquid Motion Tri Club – 1:01:39
2nd Joshua Schnell – Athlone Tri Club – 1:02:53
Female Race
Eliza Allison led the female race, finishing in 1:07:23.
In an exciting finale, a sprint finish saw Olivia Moore come in second place in 1:07:59, followed by Fiona Murphy of Tuna Tri Club in 1:08:08 to complete the Female Podium. In fourth place was, Naoise O’Donnell of Galway Triathlon Club in 1:09:01.
Female Podium
3rd Fiona Murphy – Tuna Tri Club – 1:08:08
1st Eliza Allison – 1:07:23
2nd Olivia Moore – 1:07:59
Local Paralympians Chloe and Judith MacCombe also took part in the sprint distance race, each among the first finishers.
Introducing the next generation to Swim, Bike, Run
After the excitement of the Triathlon National Series, children had the opportunity to take part in a triathlon taster session and fun run in Ebrington Square led by the Triathlon Ireland Development Team.
Activities included bikes, scooters and ‘swim boards on wheels’, giving children a taster of triathlon, after a fun run, athletes crossed the finish line under the Europe Triathlon arch.
If you’d like to find out more about the Youth Series and Junior Triathlon visit our Junior Section here.
Next round of Triathlon National Series
Next weekend the Triathlon National Series visits Pikeman Triathlon for another thrilling round of racing.
Find out where you stand in the latest Triathlon Ireland Rankings by visiting My Tri Ranking – powered by AccountsIQ.
Gallery from City of Derry Triathlon
Take a look at photos from the day of the Triathlon National Series race – including Aquabike and Relay from TI Media’s Jonny Collins. Feel free to download and share!
