Course Details

The Junior Race - triathletes aged 9 years old to 15 years old will be in the first wave.

The Under 10's will start off with a 100m swim (4 lengths) in the pool.  They will then enter the transition area and collect their helmet and bike. 

Their cycle is a 3 km route.  This will be along the Ridge road.  The cycle is 1.5 km out and then 1.5 km back into the leisure centre and transition.

Here they will take off their helmet and begin their 800m run which is along the same cycle route.  They will run along this route until they reach their turnaround point at 400m and make their way back to the finish.

The Under 11's will start off with a 200m swim (8 lengths) in the pool.  They will then enter the transition area and collect their helmet and bike. 

Their cycle is a 6 km route.  This will be along the Ridge road.  The cycle is 3 km out and then 3 km back into the leisure centre and transition.

Here they will take off their helmet and begin their 1.8 km run which is along the same cycle route.  They will run along this route until they reach their turnaround point at 900m and make their way back to the finish.

The Under 13's will start off with a 300m swim in the pool.  They will then enter the transition area and collect their helmet and bike. 

Their cycle is a 8km route.  This will be along the Ridge road.  The cycle is 4km out and then 4km back into the leisure centre and transition.

Here they will take off their helmet and begin their 2.4km run which is along the same cycle route.  They will run along this route until they reach their turnaround point at 1.2km and make their way back to the finish.

The Under 15's will start off with a 400m swim in the pool.  They will then enter the transition area and collect their helmet and bike. 

Their cycle is a 10km route.  This will be along the Ridge road.  The cycle is 5km out and then 5km back into the leisure centre and transition.

Here they will take off their helmet and begin their 2.5km run which is along the same cycle route.  They will run along this route until they reach their turnaround point at 1.25km and make their way back to the finish.

NOTE!: The route is subject to change with safety on the day being the determining factor.

For Youths and Above:

The race begins with 30 lengths of Portlaoise Leisure Centre Pool. The pool which has been completely rebuilt in 2007 features five lanes.  Each lane will have 5-6 entrants.  Lane counters will record the number of lengths completed and when 750m are complete, competitors will exit the centre and collect their bike from the transition area, located in the Astro-Turf pitch behind the pool.

There will be between 5-8 race 'starts' or waves - each with 25-30 people; while you will be racing directly against those in your wave, all competitors will have their times recorded and the final results will include finish times from every wave.  Wave starts will be based on estimated swim ability - so don't worry, the people in your lane will all be of a similar swim speed to you and you will not be expected to race against elite swimmers.

The bike leg is 19.5km long, routed from Portlaoise Leisure Centre, through the town ot Portlaoise, and onto the Dublin Road, taking the old N7 route for 7km, turning left for a gradual 3km incline towards Emo before completing the final 9km along country roads back to the Lesiure centre and transition.  The route benefits from low traffic volumes, good road surfaces and excellent visibility.

View Portlaoise Try-athlon Bike Route in a larger map

Returning to the transition area, cyclists dismount and prepare for the run. Participants will be directed out of the town to a turnaround point approximately 2.5km from the Leisure Centre.  Similar to the cycle route, there are a couple of small climbs on the outward leg of the run, with the second half being downhill and fast to the finish.

View Portlaoise Try-athlon Run Route in a larger map

The finish line, with spectating alley, will be located in the grounds of the Leisure Centre.  Finishers will receive a breakdown of their times for each of the legs, for their overall race, and their finishing position.  While waiting for these results, competitors can use the shower and changing facilities at Portlaoise Leisure Centre and avail of the post-race meal and celebrations nearby.  Your supporters are also welcome to join you (small fee applies for food).  Final results are expected around 14:00hrs, with a prize presentation immediately following the announcement of results.