Standard Distance ITU World Triathlon Championship Results

The Irish Age Group Team at the ITU World Triathlon Championships acquitted themselves very well racing on the shores of Lake Michigan and in central Chicago over the weekend.

Following medal success in both the Aquathlon and Sprint Triathlon World Championships earlier in the week, 38 age group athletes took to the start line for the 1500 metre swim, 40 kilometre bike and 10 kilometre run of the Standard Distance.

Desmond McHenry, a competitor since the inception of the sport in the early 1980's was the best placed finisher with a brilliant 4th in the 65-69 years age group having finished 3rd in the Sprint event just 2 days before.

McHenry covered the distance in a time of 2:27:12, leaving him just 30 seconds off Robert Pickard of Australia who finished in the bronze medal position.

Mark Higgins, previously a member of Limerick Triathlon Club and now living in Illinois, USA was another member of the Irish team who just narrowly missed out on a medal. Higgins was consistent across all 3 disciplines which paid off as he crossed the line under to 2 hour barrier in 1:59:54. The category was won by James Burke of the USA in 1:53:14 with Allan Alfonso Villanueva of Mexico claiming the bronze medal in 1:59:02.