Noble’s promising predictions for triathlon in Ireland

Olympian announces 100 more registrations available for

Vodafone Dublin City Triathlon

One of Ireland’s best performing London Olympians, Gavin Noble, has stated that Irish triathletes can make real inroads at the Rio de Janeiro games.

Noble was in Dublin today to announce final details of the Vodafone Dublin City Triathlon, which is run by the Piranha triathlon club.  The event – one of the largest triathlons of the year, and the largest to take place in Dublin – will start with the swim leg in the upper Liffey above Islandbridge. The bike and cycle legs of the race will take place in the Phoenix Park on Sunday 26^th August from 9:00am.  Registration for the race has reopened with a further 100 places now available.

Joining fellow elite triathlete Bryan Keane in announcing final details for Sunday week’s Vodafone Dublin City Triathlon, Noble (31) said that such is the growth of the sport in Ireland that major success can be achieved in future Olympics, possibly even in Rio in four years time.

“The growth in popularity of triathlon here is phenomenal.  It has been Ireland’s fastest growing sport over the last few years.  There’s a lot of promising young talent coming through already and we have a really good junior triathlon programme in place here as well.

“There’s also the possibility of athletes that currently specialise in any of the three individual disciplines, who are also strong at the other legs of the triathlon, throwing their hat in the race.  They should really be encouraged as I truly believe that we have talented athletes who can achieve major success in international competition in the coming years. These athletes just need expert coaching, time and experience.

“The Brownlee brothers are really strong and Alistair looks pretty much unbeatable right now but four years is a long time, plenty of time for an Irish triathlete to get right up there.  I’m more convinced of that after London than ever,” said Noble, who after an injury-blighted season confounded expectations by achieving a top-25 finish (23^rd) at the London games.

“If the sport continues to grow in Ireland like it has over recent years and once the investment is there in the triathletes, I think it is inevitable that we will have contenders in future Olympics.  

“The sport is getting a lot of exposure now across the country and the more events we have like the Vodafone Dublin City Triathlon, the better. Over 900 places in this year’s event will be taken and that’s a huge statement about the popularity of the sport.”

Vodafone Dublin City Triathlon Event director, John Wallnutt said he was delighted with the number of registrations.  “We once again have a very large number of people competing in this year’s event, and we are delighted to be able to offer those new to triathlon the opportunity to give the sport a go with our Super Sprint distance.  Registration closes this week, so if those who are still interested in getting involved, it is advised to do so as soon as possible.”

Anne O’Leary, Vodafone Ireland Enterprise Director said, “Vodafone Dublin City Triathlon is an ideal event to support and further cement Vodafone’s relationship with triathlon, the fastest growing sport in Ireland.  Over 100 Vodafone Ireland employees are participating in the event – some for the second year in a row and others making their triathlon debut – creating great excitement within Vodafone.

To register for the event visit dublincitytriathlon.com.

A big thanks to Alva Mannion, Anne O’Leary and Gavin McAllister (and of course Gavin Noble and Bryan Keane) for all the work they put in to make this photoshoot happen!