Thousands turn out and take part in an epic triathlon and music showcase for Galway as the city saw 25,000 descend on Galway for a bumper weekend festival of triathlon.
The inaugural Challenge Galway has seen close to 25,000 people descend on Galway city throughout the course of the weekend. The epic event took place from June 24th to 26th and combined both triathlon racing and a festival of music in the docks in Galway. This festival of triathlon saw thousands take to the roads and the waters in Galway to battle it out over the three disciplines on Saturday at Sprint, Olympic, TryaTri distances, with Sunday showcasing both the full and half iron distance events.
Challenge Galway welcomed an extraordinary field of international and national pro athletes taking part. Galway man Kevin Thornton came home 4th in a time of 3:58:47. The race was won by British athletes taking home first and second positions; David McNamee in a time of 3:51:47 with Joe Skipper home in second place in a time of 3:55:11, third was New Zealander Dylan McNeice in a time of 3:56:50.
A very strong women’s field saw Emma Bilham take home gold in a time of 4:16:35 closely followed by Lucy Gossage in a time of 4:22:09 and Laura Siddall came in third in 4:27:41.
As well as a top class field of tri athletes, Challenge Galway in association with Monroes Live hosted Rock The Docks with headline acts The Riptide Movement and The Strypes rocking out to large crowds on Friday and Saturday night.
“This was the first year for Challenge Galway and we are very pleased with how the event ran. It was a massive undertaking which could not have been possible without a very strong team on the ground and major support from Galway City and County Council, Failte Ireland and the Gardai. The expo village and festival element was so well received by both athletes and people attending Challenge Galway. We are hoping that our first year will give merit to this being an annual event for Galway and the west, explained Liam Heavin of Challenge Galway.
