Major European triathlon event heading to city
Cork city is set to host a major triathlon event this summer for the first time.
Cork City Triathlon will be the stage for the 2024 Europe Triathlon Cup taking place in Cork over the weekend of 13 and 14 July, with over 1,000 athletes expected to attend.
It promises to be a festival of triathlon with more than 11 races scheduled for the weekend.
Described by Triathlon Ireland as “a top sporting event”, it marks a significant moment in Irish triathlon history as Cork welcomes both elite and aspiring athletes to its shores for a race that promises to be both challenging and breathtaking.
Over 170 athletes are expected to impress the crowds between the Elite and Junior races on the Saturday, while Sunday plays host to a variety of races including the closely fought Sprint Triathlon National Series event, the Sprint Aquabike, Sprint Duathlon, Try-a-tri, Relay, and the Youth Series.
The Youth Series races is expected to be the largest field to date.
Cork City Triathlon begins in the River Lee. Athletes will dive into the river and navigate a swim course that showcases the beauty of Cork's natural landscape.
Athletes will transition onto their bikes for a route consisting of five 4km laps taking place against the waterfront setting of Marina Park.
The flat but technical bike course offers spectators a chance to follow the race at multiple points and witness some of Europe’s best triathlon talent on numerous occasions throughout the day.
With the run course winding around and through SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh, Cork City Triathlon will add itself to Cork’s rich sporting history.
Gordon Crawford, Triathlon Ireland Performance Director, said: “A Europe Triathlon Cup race in the heart of Cork city will play a massive role in the development of triathlon in Ireland and key to this is the connection between our elite athletes, our triathlon clubs and wider triathlon community.”
Race Director Paul Mooney further added: “Cork city is so accessible by road, rail, sea and air making the location for a triathlon idyllic. One thing Corkonians have in common is a love for their city; we are extremely proud of what we have to offer. It is a city location, with the swim being a wide open river, a flat and fast yet technical bike course. and a run that passes through and finishes near Supervalu Páirc Uí Chaoimh, an iconic stadium.”
Looking towards the future, Ronan Forde of Midleton Tri Club added: “A European elite sprint distance event coming to our city, based on the Marina is a very exciting time for triathlon in Cork. It brings some of the best talent in Europe to Leeside to showcase the very finest, fast, action packed racing. It will be a spectacle that I'm sure will encourage young triathletes with big aspirations to keep motivated and also inspire young people to get started in our sport.”
Shane Califf, Director of Sport Ireland, acknowledged that: “Triathlon Ireland and its affiliates have an extensive record of delivering high quality races in beautiful, scenic locations. In bringing elite and youth races to Ireland, Triathlon Ireland is delivering against its strategic vision for inclusion, youth development and high performance.”