2010 Entries Now Open

Race entries are now open. Please click on ‘Enter the Race’ to begin. Entry Fees are inclusive of all charges and are the same as in 2009, €35.00 for Adults, €20.00 for Juniors and €70.00 for relay teams.

Important Notice - Racing Licences 2010

Entries for this years race will open on 1 January 2010 at 8:00am. Please note a very important change to 2009.

Triathlon Ireland have instructed that One Day Licences can no longer be sold by clubs or races and must be bought online from their website ( www.triathlonireland.com). Entrants will need to ensure that they either take put an annual racing licence from Triathlon Ireland (€50.00) or buy a One Day Licence before race day, otherwise they will not be allowed take part on race day on insurance grounds.

This rule applies to all Triathlon Ireland sanctioned races in 2010. Our advice to you is to buy a one-day licence as soon as you complete a race entry – do not risk your place by leaving it too late.

Portlaoise Try-athlon 2010 - Race Director Announced

Great News! Patrick Marshall stepped forward at last weeks Trilogy Triathlon AGM to accept the role of Race Director 2010. Patrick is stepping into some very big shoes, left behind by Kevin Bracken who organised an excellent first-time race in 2009. Kevin is one of the people who, in the background, will be helping Patrick plan for the event, which was agreed at the AGM to take place on 10 April. The others are Willie Fitzpatrick, Murt Keane, Tom Downey and Pawel Debakowski.

Race entries will open early in the new year, with more updates to follow here.

Three Photo Galleries ... Almost 700 Photos

I throw down the gauntlet! Theres a free place in next years race for the first person who finished the race last week but that we didn't manage to get on film somewhere between the swim and the finish line!

With almost 700 photos, I think its a safe bet!

You may have noticed the brand new photo link on the top menu - ('2009 Photos'). Click this from anywhere in the site to access three quality photo galleries, including Elaine's shots (which you may already have seen), plus two new galleries from pro photographers Paul Mulreid and Tony Reilly.

All pictures are available to purchase, you get a huge file which will reproduce and print up to practically any size you need. All you need to do is click the order button under every picture to buy.

So go explore our 700 pictures, and mail me (karl@trilogy.ie) if you can't find yourself!

Post Race Feedback Survey

Trilogy Triathlon invite you to complete the competitor survey from Saturday's race. The survey results are our way of knowing what went well, and what we can improve next year. Please click the link below to start the survey, it should take 3-4 minutes to complete.

-> Start Survey

Makin' the News ....

There is some mighty fine reporting and cool photos in both Laois local papers today.

The race features on page 19 of the Leinster Express Sports Supplement, and page 11 of the Laois Nationalist sports section.

If you are reading this outdside Laois, then you can always check out the front page of triathlonireland.com for report and photos.

Split Positions Now Available

The results Download now includes positions for all splits - see how you did on each of the swim, cycle and run legs.

A Word from Wheelworx, our main sponsors

Rob - Thanks for all your help and support from all at Trilogy.

Wheelworx are offering a range of starter packs for newcomers to the sport, packs include all you need to get started for the bike portion of your triathlon or duathlon. We also do a full fitting service with every pack to ensure your bike is set up correctly for you. Fittings are done by our expert staff all of whom are triathletes and cyclists. We are the only triathlon specific shop in Ireland staffed exclusively by triathletes, multi sport athletes and cyclists.
We also have the benefit of having the only elite racing squad in triathlon in Ireland to gain valuable feedback on products, positioning, set up and racing. We have over 150 podium finishes in the last 3 years more than 15 times that of any other squad. We know more about how to make you faster than any other shop in the country.

You can take advantage of our knowledge by calling in to our store in the Mill Centre Clondalkin, calling on 01 4577100 or e mailing Rob at wheelworx2000@hotmail.com. You can also visit our website at www.wheelworxbikes.com

Link here

Final Results to Download

Well done to all 170 finishers today. Full results, with thanks to Timing Ireland and our Sponsors Wheelworx and Amphibian King are ready to download (see link below).

Photos, full reports and a finishers survey will be on this page in a few days time. Make sure and check back then.

Download Full Results

Three Things for Saturday

Trilogy Triathlon would like to warmly welcome each of you to Portlaoise for the inaugral Portlaoise Try-athlon.

There are three things you can do that will really help us run a smooth race on Saturday.

1. Register Early
     We open from 7pm on Friday and from 7am on Saturday.
     Registration will close 8:30am.

2. Competitor Parking
     Parking prohibited at race HQ. Please park in the
     public car-park 250m away (cost €2 for full day).

3. Racing Licence
     You must have a racing licence to compete.
     - If you are not already a TI member, there is a €15
       fee for a one-day racing licence.
       Please bring correct change where possible.

     - TI members, please remember to bring your TI card.
       We cannot verify your membership in any other way
       and you will need to pay the €15 one-day licence fee.

Theres loads more information about the event by downloading the competitor guide.

Race Day Weather Forecast

Race-day is now just three days away, and the good news is that last nights storm seems to have passed and spring sunshine has resumed. The forecast for the weekend is looking good for racing also - Met Eireann is predicting cool but sunny conditions, mostly dry with some scattered showers and easing winds.

Wave Starts Now Available

Portlaoise Try-athlon is a multi-start race, with eight 'Waves' or swim starts. The exact times of each swim start will be available later this week in a comprehensive race guide manual.

If you would like to see your race number, wave and lane start, then please click to download (entrants listed alphabetically).

Final Entry list Published

The final entry list is now published
here. A list of wave starts by name will follow on 1 April, and will be available at registration.

Just 15 days to go now!

Racing Licence Required

Portlaoise Try-athlon is a Triathlon Ireland sanctioned race, and in accordance with TI rules and the terms of our insurance, all participants on 11 April need to have a Triathlon Ireland Racing Licence.

Competitors may purchase an annual racing licence for €50.00, which covers you for all TI sanctioned races in 2009 (approx 100 races). Alternatively, you will be able to buy a 'One Day Licence' for a cost of €15.00 at registration on race day. Under 18's can buy their annual racing licence for a nominal fee of €1.00.

If you do not have either a full Triathlon Ireland licence or pay the €15.00 for a one-day licence, then you will not be able to race.

If you plan on racing three or more races in 2009, then it makes sense to get the annual licence. Order yours at http://www.triathlonireland.com. Processing takes 2-3 weeks, so if you are buying one of these, the best advice is to act soon.

Juniors (9-19 year old) Aquathon Open

Last week, Trilogy Triathlon opened entries for another Portlaoise race. On 13 June, an All-Ireland Championship race visits Portlaoise, as 200 entrants aged 9-19 undertake Trilogy's Junior Aquathon. Along with the prestige of racing in a national championships, the race also promises to be inspiring and fun for all junior competitors.

Race entry is just €5.00 per child, so if you have a little one following in your steps, why not surf over to our sister site at http://www.junioraquathon.ie where online entry is now available.

Refund Cut-off date Approaching

Injuries happen and circumstances change. If you think that you may not be able to take up your race place on 11 April, the closing date for refunds is Wednesday, 11 March. Race entry fees are refunded subject to an admin fee of €5.00.

After this time, the entry list and wave lists will be finalised and there can be no changes, and no refunds are possible.

Competitor Race Guide to Download

A detailed competitor manual is now yours to download. With plenty of information about the course, course maps, about setting up and racing, and loads more.



Just one week to go now!

Swimming Places Confirmed

Places are currently being held for the following people for the Women in Sport Swimming Lessons. These lessons are being offered for free to Women in Sport entrants to the race. If you are entered in the race and living in or around Laois, you should have received an e-mail from Karl. To hold your place in the pool, please reply to this mail ASAP. If we have missed anyone, please contact karl@trilogy.ie.

Places reserved for: Celine Byrne, Lavinia Carew, Susan Wall, Brid Fogarty, Sandra Furney, Maria Irwin, Denise Kavanagh, Ciara Loughman, Sinead Maher, Catriona Marshall, Claire McEvoy, Kathleen O'Brien, Helen Rothwell, Vanessa Healy, Yvonne Young.

More Good News - 12 more places!

Kevin and Sinead have been working hard on the race plan and dealing with the many enquiries we have received about the race. While we would love to be able to give a place to everyone who wants to race, the reality is we are limited by the pool time and availability of stewards, Gardai, etc.

The waiting list will now be contacted in order by e-mail, with details of how to take up your place. If you would rather not take the place, then do reply and it can be offered down the list.

Great News - Women in Sport Free Swimming Lessons announced

We are pleased to announce a series of six swim lessons starting next Friday 20 February and running until 27 March. The sessions will be from 6pm to 7pm at Portarlington Leisure Centre (new public pool in the centre of town).

Admission to the classes is free but reserved for entrants on the Women in Sport programme. All ladies from Laois will receive an e-mail in the next 24 hours inviting them to attend. For planning purposes, it would be great if you could respond to the mail to hold your place.

The lessons are designed to build confidence and endurance in the water, and to help you comfortably complete the first leg of the Try-athlon on 11 April. The class will accomodate all kinds of swimmers, with lanes divided by ability.

The swim coach is the excellent Eimear Mathews who is making a real splash on Wednesday nights with Trilogy's beginners group in Portlaoise, and who is also swim coach to the Junior squad.

Race Now Full

Unfortunately, entries for Portloaise Try-athlon are now closed. We have been blown away by the level of support for this race in its first year, and want to thank everyone who has entered or enquired about the race.

While our attention turns to organising a great race day, keep an eye on here and on www.trilogy.ie for news of Trilogy's other races - the Junior Aquathon in June and the Laois Challenge in August.

Also, our big race - TriAthy - Irelands fastest course, is still open for entries and offers the same distance as Portlaoise Try-athlon, plus a longer Olympic option. Check out www.triathy.comfor more.

New Faces at Training!

It was great to see the pool full last night, and to see so many new faces. I didn't get to meet you all, but hope you had a good time at the session and to see you over the coming few weeks.

If you haven't come along yet, especially if you have recently signed up for the event, then do check out the Trilogy Training page.

Waiting List now open

Kevin has created a waiting list for Senior Entries. People on this list will be offered places if they become available through cancellation, or if the full allocation of places for Women in Sport is not taken up.

The waiting list will be a maximum 25 places and will be updated on the 'Registered to Race' page, and the list is in order of preference (first name gets first refusal). You can be added to this list by e-mailing .

There are still races places available for Women in Sport entrants (women returning to sport or new to triathlon and living in Laois), for Juniors (14-18 years old) and Relay Teams.

Entry Update - Senior Category full

Every race has its limits, and unfortunately, we have almost reached ours. The only places now remaining are a small number of places reserved for

• Juniors,
• Relay Teams, and
• entries taken under the 'Women in Sport' initiative
(click here for more info).

We would like to thank all our applicants for their support to date. TriAthy, this races Big Sister, is still open for both individual and relay entries (same distance as Portlaoise Try-athlon, plus option of longer Olympic Distance) and takes place 30 May 2009 (www.triathy.com).

Race Entry Update - 23 Places Left

Portlaoise Try-athlon is now 85% full, with just 23 places left. The race is likely to close before Tuesday evening.

The 127 votes of confidence we have already received has everyone at Trilogy excited and determined to make the 11 April race a huge success for everyone entered.

The latest list of entrants can be found here - Registration List. Please contact us if you see any errors with this list.

Leinster Express - Try-athlon Featured

Take a look at page 15 in the sports section of this weeks Leinster Express. There is a good article about the race, aimed especially at promoting the event to 'Women in Sport'.

Also, keep an eye on the Leinster Express over the coming months for more on the Women in Sport initiative - the Leinster Express has kindly joined forces with us to promote the campaign.

Race more than half-full

With over 80 places already filled, Portlaoise Try-athlon is now more than half-full. At the current rate, entries may close as early as next Thursday.

You can see who has entered already at here (last update was 6pm, 8 January)

Welcome TriAthy Racers!

If you have entered TriAthy, Portlaoise Try-athlon is the perfect place to test your training seven weeks before the main event. Benchmark your training, clear out the race rust, and get the feel for competition again.

Portlaoise Try-athlon is also the first race of the season, and has a similar course profile and midlands location. Its even run by Trilogy Triathlon, one of the organisers of TryAthy.

So welcome along TriAthy entrants - we look forward to seeing you on 11 April

Relay Teams Welcome!

Can't Swim? No Bike? Allergic to Running?

Good news for you! Portlaoise Try-athlon is a beginner friendly race. And often the best way to begin triathlon is as part of a relay team.

You get to compete, you get to race, you get to be part of the unique event that is triathlon, and you can excel at your strongest sport. Best of all, you share the workload!

All you got to do is find a partner or two partners and form a team to enter the race. In a three person team, each person does one leg, in a two person team, one person does any two legs, the other person does one.

What are you waiting for? Click 'Enter the Race' above to register a relay team now!