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Sunday the 7^th of February saw the first of this years' Limerick duathlon series taking place at St.Endas sports complex on the Kilmallock Road in Limerick. The race forms part of a 3 part series organised annually by Limerick triathlon club. The race consists of a 3.6 kilometre out-and-back run around the perimeter of the sports complex, followed by a 14.3 kilometre cycle out the Kilmallock Road and back to sports complex followed by the same 3.6 kilometre run. Registration opened at 9am and by the time it closed an hour later a total of 138 competitors had registered.

At 10:39 competitors were under starters orders with clear conditions but somewhat damp underfoot as morning dew lingered. The pace was set by local man Eamon Horgan of Limerick triathlon club opening up a 20 second lead on the chasing pack which was led by Martin Grealish, Niall Collins, youngster David Richardson and several other strong contenders after 2.5 kilometres of running. In the ladies Patricia O'Brien of Ennis tri club had settled into a strong rhythm at the back of the men's chasing pack but was followed closely by Lisa Horgan also of Limerick tri club and a few yards back Fiona Stephenson of Galway tri club.

Horgan led the field into the first transition after 11 minutes and 57 seconds although he hadn't left transition before the chasing pack arrived in after him still led by Grealish. In the ladies Patricia O'Brien emerged from transition in first place in the ladies but suffered a minor slip before mounting her bicycle for the cycle leg of the race. Understandable given she had just completed the 3.6 kilometre road run with a couple of sharp hills at the beginning and end in a time of 14:57. After the run it was looking like a 3 woman race in the ladies with the next female runner some 2 minutes down on the top 3 ladies. Fiona Stephenson who was one second behind O'Brien coming into transition 1 lost some 15 seconds to O'Brien changing to the bike but she wasted no time it gaining the time back and more once out on the bike putting in the fastest ladies bike split by over a minute over Lisa Horgan to arrive back in first position into the second transition.

Meanwhile back in the men's race Eamon Horgan was now in second place with Martin Kirwan of Waterford tri club moving right up the field from 7^th to 1^st on the cycle. Still essentially neck and neck were Grealish and Horgan behind the new leader coming into transition. Into transition 2 and Horgan showed his experience by putting in the fastest transition of the day in just 21 seconds and was back out for the second run retaking first place. He was closely followed by a smooth transitioning Grealish with Kirwan looking slightly more sluggish following his strong efforts on the bike. At this stage there were still members of the chasing pack within striking distance including Collins and Richardson. Grealish soon caught up with Horgan and the two ran together for all but the last 250 meters at which point Grealish pulled away up the hill to the finish in 49:41, a few seconds from Eamon Horgan who couldn't respond. Kirwan kept it together well on the run and hung onto third place. 20 year old David Richardson who last year was awarded Limerick triathlon club's most promising member finished 4^th just ahead of fellow club member Niall Collins and is definitely one to watch in the future.

In the ladies race O'Brien put in an excellent 2^nd run which was actually a second faster than her first run in a time of 14:56 in an effort to chase down 1^st and 2^nd place Stephenson and Horgan. O'Brien managed to pass Horgan on the second run but couldn't catch Stephenson who finished with a minute to spare in a time of 58:55. Lisa Horgan put in a somewhat slower second run but hung on in third position. Lisa, who as little as 6 weeks ago gave birth to Rían Horgan, celebrated in style with husband Eamon by gaining 2^nd and 3^rd place on the podium in the men's and women's races respectively.

If there is a message from this year's men's race its that persistence pays; Grealish ran a measured race and finally got his just rewards after last year finishing in the top 5 in each of the 3 races but not managing a win.

A big thanks must go to Limerick triathlon club who each year put on a great series. Tea, coffee, chocolate chip cookies and sandwiches were all laid on for competitors following the race.

The second race in the series kicks off at the same time on Sunday the 21^st of February with the third on Sunday the 21^st of March. Registration opens again in the St.Endas sports complex from 9am.