LOCAL sea swimmers will continue to make waves this week when they take part in two races as part of the fifth annual Howth Challenge Series.
The first race in the series took place at the beautiful north Dublin village and a record number of entrants took to the start line.
The second aquathon will take place on June 23 followed by the Escape from Ireland swim on Sunday June 29, and the final aquathon on Monday, July 21.
The course comprised a 500m triangular swim leg from Claremont Beach and a 3.8km out and back run leg adjacent to Howth Harbour and Balscadden Bay. Entrants to the long distance race completed two laps, while entrants to the short distance race completed one lap of each leg.
On a dry and relatively mild evening, athletes were greeted with calm seas, with a water temperature of approximately 14oC, and the support of enthusiastic spectators.
In the men’s long race, Aidan Murphy, Barry Nolan and James Hoare led out a field of strong swimmers and entered T1 with nothing to spare between them. However, on lap one of the run, James Hoare opened a lead that he never relinquished, building on his advantage with some strong running on lap two.
Aidan Murphy, following a slower opening lap, really upped his tempo on lap two to secure 2nd place. With two extremely good run splits, Alan Butler made up considerable time on the leading swimmers to move into 3rd place on the night.
Eoin Brady, from Fingal, took 4th place and the leading Vet. In the ladies’ race, Xela Steenberge lost a one-minute advantage following the swim to a strong running Orla Colreavy, who finished the course with an impressive three-minute advantage. Venessa Fenton followed Xela home to take 3rd place overall and the lead Vet prize. In the short race, Conor Turner produced a dominant display, leading the men’s field from start to finish and recording the fastest swim and run legs.
After exiting T1 together, David Cahil opened a one-minute gap on John Howlett to decide 2nd and 3rd place.
A special mention is due to Anthony Malone, who finished in 14th place, but clocked the 2nd fastest run time on the night.