ENNISKILLEN'S OLYMPIC HOPEFUL GAVIN NOBLE WINS THE WATERWAYS IRELAND TRIATHLONE 2006

Despite the wind and rain, Enniskillen's Gavin Noble produced a sparkling performance to win the Waterways Ireland triAthlone 2006 in authoritative fashion. The inaugural running of a triathlon in Athlone signalled a bid for the town to host the European Championships in 5 years time. Waterways Ireland, the North/South body which has responsibility for the management, maintenance, development and restoration of inland navigable waterways was the title sponsor for the event.

Gavin Noble's show of strength on the challenging Athlone course of a 750m Swim, 20km bike and 5km run, saw him complete the course in 56 minutes 33 seconds. The reigning Irish Champion, who was also 15th in the recent Commonwealth Games was first out of the water, followed closely by two up-and-coming Irish athletes Simon Biddell and 16 year old Junior Heffernan. Trevor Woods, 3rd in World Age Group Championships 2 years ago came out of the swim in 4th place.

Noble put 1 minute into the chasing pair on the bike in very windy, treacherous conditions. Over the 20km bike distance the slower swimmers worked together to try and reel in the leaders. Despite their best efforts, Noble kept a comfortable lead into the testing run course consisting of 3 laps of Athlone town centre. He comfortably held his lead, cruising to victory in a fabulous time of 56 minutes 33 seconds. The experienced Trevor Woods, with a very fine run finished in second place overtaking Simon Biddell in 3rd and Junior Heffernan in 4th.

Further information on the Waterways Ireland triAthlone 2006 is available from
info@triathlone.com or from the event website, www.triathlone.com.

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Further information from:
info@triathlone.com or
Ms. Aoife Morrissy, Marketing and Communications, Waterways Ireland, 00 353 71 9650787 or 00 353 87 9918412.

Date: 09.07.2006

Photograph © Gordon Thompson

Gavin Noble winner of the Waterways Ireland triAthlone 2006

Martin Dennany, Director of Marketing & Communications, Waterways Ireland & Gavin Noble, Winner of Waterways Ireland TriAthlone 2006