Elite European Cup Racing Returns to Ireland as Part of Waterways Ireland Triathlone 2013

This Sunday July 7th will see the 1st Elite Triathlon Event take place in Ireland since the European Championships were hosted in Athlone in 2010. This afternoon, members of the Triathlon Ireland Junior High Performance Squad joined with Charles Lawn Waterways Ireland (Inspector of Navigation) to launch this year's event.

A strong Irish Squad, led by Con Doherthy (Bronze Medallist at the Junior World Championships 2012) will be challenging for European Cup medals on home soil for the first time ever. It promises to be an exciting spectacle, with the genuine stars of the future battling it out in the River Shannon and on the streets of the Midland's Town for European Honours.

The Sunday event takes place in the backdrop of the ever-spectacular Waterways Ireland triAthlone series of races that includes the Kinetica Sprint Distance Championships and Irish Paratriathlon Championships for 2013.

2012 Olympian Gavin Noble leads the field and is favourite to be crowned Champion this year, but certainly not without a challenge. With almost every county in Ireland represented and up to 15,000 spectators expected to line the streets, Athlone is gearing up for yet another great event.

The hosting of the Paratriathlon Championships places this fast developing side of the sport centre stage in Athlone. Para athletes from across Ireland and UK will take part and compete for the title of Paratriathlon Champion. Triathlon Ireland is confident many of the athletes competing will develop and represent Ireland in the 2016 Para Olympic Games in Rio.

Waterways Ireland TriAthlone have developed a free and downloadable App for 2013 event iDevices. The goal was to give triathletes all the information they need to compete in the 2013 event, with access to training tips, our twitter feed, and LIVE timing for users so they can track athletes as they make their way around the course! Just search by race number or name!

Speaking about the event, Chairman Liam Heavin said: "We are delighted to be bringing elite racing back to Athlone where it belongs! This has been a team effort and couldn't be achieved without the support of Waterways Ireland and Athlone Town Council. We would like to encourage as many people as possible to come along and support the event this weekend - and especially to take in all that the elite races have to offer & cheer on Team Ireland!"

This year's Waterways Ireland triAthlone event will be supported by title sponsor Waterways Ireland, with significant support also provided by Athlone Town Council. John Martin, Chief Executive Waterways Ireland said; "Waterways Ireland became involved with TriAthlone, recognising the potential of the event to generate huge awareness for the inland waterways on the island and internationally and impact on the numbers of people using the waterways recreationally. Now one of the fastest growing sports in Ireland, I commend the committee for their dedication and hard work in bringing not only an Elite event back to Ireland but also its inclusiveness in hosting the Paratriathlon Championships"

Waterways Ireland triAthlone begins with a swim in the River Shannon, from which the competitors will then take to their bikes for a cycle through south County Roscommon before the exciting town-centre run which will see the event finish in the heart of Athlone.