Luke McCarron and Senan McDonnell were both in action over the weekend representing Ireland in the Elite Men’s race at the 2026 Africa Triathlon Cup Ebotse.
McDonnell had a five second gap exiting the water from the non-wetsuit swim as the athletes raced into T1. However, a small number of athletes were able to close that small advantage before leaving the transition area. Out on the bike course, eventual race winner Gjalt Panjer of the Netherlands broke away with Germany’s Fabian Schönke, while McDonnell continued in the first chase pack.
Meanwhile McCarron kept his cool in a more distant chase group on the bike, putting in a blistering 15:47 run split to move up the field and finish in 9th place overall. McDonnell followed him home 15 seconds later to secure 10th in his first senior international finish.
A notable jump in results for McCarron after a 25th and 16th place finish in his past two races should give him confidence as he continues with a block of African races throughout the month of March. He lines up next weekend at the 2026 Africa Triathlon Cup Troutbeck, currently the only Irish triathlete with an international start on the horizon.
