The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Hard men show what they’re made of in Ventry
HARD men – and women – showed what they were made of in Ventry at the weekend as the village hosted its first ‘Hardman’ triathlon. And such was the success of the event that it will be back again next year with three times as many competitors.
The Hardman test of endurance and fitness was organised by Alan Ryan from Killarney, who initially planned to base the event in Dingle. However, Dingle tends to be preoccupied with catering for a flood of tourists over the June Bank Holiday Weekend and Alan decided to bring the event further west to Ventry, where he was warmly welcomed.
“The local support was great. I spoke with Jim Long in the Post Office and everything was possible,” said Alan, who was very happy to have filled his quota of 90 competitors for Saturday’s event. Next year he expects to grow this number to 240 competitors and, given the hugely positive feedback he received last weekend, he is confident of success.
Saturday’s events centred on Ventry harbour, starting with a 1.5km swim in water so calm that Jim Long reckoned we mightn’t see the likes of it for another 20 years. Well refreshed after their early morning swim, competitors dashed off on a 40km cycle around Slea Head, returning via Milltown to Ventry. Bikes were abandoned and the athletes set off at a gallop up the steep hill to Mam an Óraigh, through Baile ’n Cóta and back via the beach to Ventry village.
The overall winner was UL student Cillian Tierney, an exceptional athlete by any measure considered the challenging course. “Even the lead bike found the hill up to Mam an Óraigh tough,” he said. “You don’t get many races like this – even though I didn’t have much time to look at it, the scenery is gorgeous”. The Tralee athlete completed the Olympic distance course in 2:04:40..
Cillian crossed the line ahead of the relay team lead by cyclist Ciarán Slattery from Ballyferriter, who was joined by Tralee duo swimmer Matt O’Regan and runner Tommy O Brien. A first for this team but definitly not their last, they thoroughly enjoyed the experience “It was great to do a local event” said Ciaran.
The first lady across the finishing line was Dena Hogan followed by Deirdre Sullivan in second place.
The success of the triathlon means that Alan is planning to run a larger event next year. To avoid a clash with Comórtas Peile na Gaeltachta he is looking at options for other weekends in June.