The Minister of State for Tourism and Sport Michael Ring will launch the new website of the Kilmore Triathlon Club at 8.30pm on Thursday, April 11, in the Broadhaven Bay Hotel, Belmullet. The Minister will also launch this year’s Blacksod Point Challenge triathlon, which will take place in September.
The Kilmore Triathlon Club was formed in 2007 in order to promote the sport of triathlon in the Erris region, and the inaugural triathlon was held in 2008, which was a resounding success. The Blacksod Point Challenge triathlon is a national series race (sanctioned by Triathlon Ireland, the national governing body for the sport ) and it takes place this year on Saturday September 21. This Olympic distance race has become known as “an animal with teeth”, due to its test of endurance that pushes participants to their limits. Starting with a 1,500m swim in the Atlantic Ocean, followed by a fast 43km bike ride, the triathlon ends with an amazing 10km all-terrain run across the sand dunes of Fál Mór.
Even though the race has become known as one of Ireland’s toughest and most gruelling triathlons, the spectacular views of the magical and mythical Erris peninsula has attracted hundreds of competitors to the area. Athletes have travelled from New Zealand, Australia, the USA, Germany, Poland, Scotland, the UK and, of course, from all over Ireland. The Kilmore Triathlon Club is not driven by profit - any money raised is put back into making the competitors feel welcome and appreciated.
The Blacksod Point Challenge is the last national series triathlon on the national race calendar, so the Barony of Erris is a fantastic location in which to wrap up the triathletes’ season. In attracting competitors - along with their families and friends – to the area, the event is a great opportunity to promote Erris as a quality leisure destination, and provides a massive boost to the local economy.
