Swim practice underway for Newry Triathlon

It's only a month to go before the firmus energy Newry City Triathlon 2015, taking place on Sunday 30th August and participants are being encouraged to join the supervised weekly practice swim sessions in the Newry Canal, every Tuesday and Thursday from 7pm to help prepare them for the open-water swim element of the triathlon.

Paul Nugent from natural gas company, firmus energy, lead sponsor of the Triathlon, commented: “These swim sessions will give those competing in the event a chance to acclimatise themselves to swimming in open-water, which is a completely different experience to swimming in a pool.  I have signed up to take part in the triathlon myself and have found these training sessions extremely useful as well as a great way to meet with other competitors and share training tips and updates. 

“firmus energy is delighted to be supporting the Triathlon again this year.  Last year’s event was a great success and we anticipate that this year’s Triathlon will be even bigger and better and attract even more people to the City!  Although there are many challenging aspects to the event, we realise that the open water swim can be something new for many of the competitors and probably the part of the event that people are most anxious about so this is definitely a way to ensure you are feeling as confident as possible come Sunday 30th!”

The second annual firmus energy Newry City Triathlon is expected to see more than 500 (TBC) people from across the UK, Ireland and further afield converge on the City to take part in the challenge which encompasses a 750m open water swim in Newry Canal, followed by a 20km closed road cycle, followed by a 5km flat run that takes in key landmarks around the City.  

Chair of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, Cllr Naomi Bailie added: “This is the second year running that the City has hosted an exciting Festival of Water with a Triathlon following the fun, and we are really looking forward to welcoming hundreds of people to the City.  

“I would like to make competitors aware of an important time change on the day of the event.  Due to traffic expectations the Triathlon will now begin at 9.30am as opposed to 10.30am and we would be grateful if you share the news with fellow competitors.  

“The event is fast-approaching now that we are in August and I wish everyone good luck in their training for the Triathlon and hope that many will take advantage of the practice swim sessions. There has been significant investment in the Newry Canal over the last few years and competitors can rest assured that the firmus energy Newry City Triathlon actually boasts one of the best and easiest open water swims of any triathlon. However it is always good to give a go before the big day to get used to the temperature and the currents of the Canal.”

Cllr Bailie added, “We look forward to seeing the talent on display on the day and as our flat course allows for the one of the fastest sprint Triathlons, we are anticipating some record-breaking finishing times!”

Limited places are still available for the Triathlon, so snap them up while you can! To register, visit www.firmusenergynewrycitytriathlon.com.  Practice swims will take place in the run-up to the event every Tuesday and Thursday from 7pm with those taking part meeting at the Albert Basin.