Winning return for Dunne after long layoff

Nenagh Triathlon Clubs Darren Dunne returned to competitive action recently after nearly one and a half years of an absence due to Covid 19.

Training during Covid 19 was difficult with swimming pools closed and limits on the distance you could travel from your house during certain periods. Keeping within the guidelines, Darren managed to maintain a high level of fitness and this paid off in his first competition of the 2021 season.

Kilkenny Triathlon Club ran one of the first full triathlon competitions this year in Kilkenny Castle grounds on 18th July last.

Over 200 competitors took part with the Castle grounds baked in blistering heat of almost thirty degrees, which put pressure on competitors as water could not be passed out to athletes during the event due to Covid 19.

The event got underway with a 750m swim in the river Nore. Darren finished the swim in second place, exiting within seconds of Luke Burke from Loughrea, with a time of 9 minutes 16 seconds.

The two headed out on the 20km bike route which took athletes away from the castle grounds and out around Kilkenny side by side.

Under 30 minutes later, Darren returned to transition and had a clear lead on the field going into the 5km run. Even with the high temperatures, blistering heat and a hilly run course, Darren managed a respectable time of 16:55 for the run. Darren comfortably took top spot winning in a time of 1:01:50, nearly three minutes ahead of his closest rival.

His next competition will take him to Waterford in August to compete in a half ironman.