Over 200 athletes arrived at University of Limerick yesterday to take part in the 2025 National Duathlon Championships, hosted by Limerick Triathlon Club.
The morning was dry and bright with low wind and low temperatures, good conditions for a race around the University of Limerick Campus. Stacked fields in both the men’s and women’s events made for some strong racing across the morning.
In the men’s event Niall Cornyn has made a return to form after some time off, leading from the start to reclaim the title he last won in 2022. Having also won his first outing in Tramore in February, Cornyn has certainly made a strong start to what promises to be a busy season.
Coming off the first 4 kilometre run, a chase pack containing Leo Corry, Mathys Bocquet, Christopher Horgan, Michael Bruton and Isaac Kerr followed Niall Cornyn onto the bike at a gap of 44 seconds. Usual contenders Enda Bagnall and Dave Higgins followed a further 15 seconds back.
Out on the flat and fast bike course, Dave Higgins put in the fastest split of the day to pull back some time and close the gap, heading onto the second run in silver position, followed by Mathys Bocquet less than 10 seconds behind.
The battle to complete the podium came down to the last 3.6 kilometres where Predator TC’s Bocquet, currently training at the National Triathlon Centre UL, overtook Dave Higgins. On the second lap Michael Bruton moved into bronze position to secure the final step on the podium.
Zoe Hughes lead from the start of the first run around the University of Limerick Campus, and had a 30 second lead into the first transition. Saoirse O’Brien, Megan Roberts, Aine Kinsella, Izabella Chidlow and Nessa Mangan rounded out the top six at this point.
The out-and-back bike course saw some movement in the field with Saoirse O’Brien, Megan Roberts and Aine Kinsella as the first three off the bike and into T2. It came right down to the final run to decide the podium places.
With two of the fastest run splits of the field (bettered only by eventual fourth placed Zoe Hughes), Aine Kinsella and Megan Roberts were in a battle for the silver and closing the gap to first placed Saoirse O’Brien at the same time. Kinsella managed to move into second on the closing lap and, in an exciting closing hundred metres just eight seconds separated the first three women.
You can find all of the National Duathlon Championships results HERE.
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