Triathlon - Taoiseach Leo Varadkar Completes Dublin City Triathlon

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar was one of more than 1,100 people who participated in Dublin City Triathlon in the Phoenix Park this morning (Sunday).

Mr Varadkar took on the gruelling challenge of swimming 750m in the River Liffey, cycling 20km around the Phoenix Park and running 5km to the finish line where he was greeted by a large crowd of his fellow competitors.

Also racing was the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Eoghan Murphy and CEO of Vodafone Ireland Anne O’Leary.  

At the front of the field, the men’s race was won by Galway born Alastair Rogers who completed the course in 57mins and 27secs ahead of Richard Horton in 2nd and Rory Atkins in 3rd.

Natasha Sinha won the women’s race ahead of Ailbhe Carroll who finished in 2nd place with Elizabeth Carr coming home in 3rd place.

Mr Varadkar finished the race in a highly respectable time of 1hr 39mins and 36secs. 

Speaking afterwards, he said he enjoyed the experience: 

“It was a nice race,  the Liffey was remarkably warm and clean. I enjoyed the swim, got a bit tired on the bike and the run but it was nice to have done it anyway.”

Mr Varadkar said of the three disciplines, he enjoyed the swim the most: “I guess I’ve long arms and legs so that’s my favourite part. I’m getting a bit better on the bike, the run was tough, I am not sure my fitness levels are what they should be but it was a great race, there were loads of people here and I’m really grateful to the organisers, the volunteers who make events like this happen and the Gardaي of course."

 The Taoiseach also revealed that despite his heavy workload, he manages to stay fit by working out early in the morning: “Lots off people train and have busy lives as well, whether its a work life or looking after kids so you just have to work at it and get in to a routine. Different things suit different people so for me its first thing in the morning, between 7am and 8am, three or four days a week. (I) just do some high intensity training and that sets you up for the day.”

This was Mr Varadkar’s fourth triathlon but his first as Taoiseach. He said the increased public profile from his job did make this experience a little different: “It keeps you going, because when you’re thinking of slowing down and you see people ahead and you don’t want the embarrassment of walking by them so it does help you to keep going!”