Ruaidhri and Tara Shine in Loughrea

The sun shone and so did the members of Galway Triathlon Club in Loughrea yesterday.

In scorching temperatures but with perfect bike and swim conditions without a puff of wind, a massive Galway club contingent took to the lake and roads of Loughrea.

Congratulations to Ruaidhri Geraghty who overcame a huge swim deficit, coming out of the water down in twentieth position to scramble his way up to sixth place off the bike and third place overall in a year where triathlon and swimming hasn't been his main training focus. He also took the top Connemara male prize.

Well done too to Tara Whyte, our aquathon series winner, who also had a super run leg, overtaking a few competitors on the run to take third place in the women's race overall and also the top Connemara female prize.

Mark O'Duffy had another great race with a top ten finish in a very competitive field in a time that would have put him on the podium in 2008.

Kristin Riall also had a strong day out with a great bike leg that took her into the top ten ladies.

We had lots of newbies out yesterday in a lovely close to most people's season. Special mention to Clodagh Lennon who took part in the women's try-a-tri event and to Cora Grimes who took part in the main sprint race, as it was both their first triathlons and they acquitted themselves very well indeed!