Sligo’s Neil Walton produced an impressive individual performance to win the 2010 Sprint Triathlon at Rosses Point on Saturday. Despite some inclement weather conditions, a large crowd turned out at the traditional home of the sport in Ireland to see Walton finish the 750 meter swim, 20k cycle and 5k run ahead of Galway’s Marc O’Duffy, one of the prerace favourites.

Walton’s time was 1.09.55, with O’Duffy clocking 1.11.19 and Reidy Johnston third in 1.12.12. Trudy Brown from the Olympic Club in Belfast again took the ladies title. She finished in 1.17.35, with Lynn Algar second in 1.19.17 and Sligo Tri Club member Caoimhe NiMhuruchu in third place (1.23.51).

Caoimhe took the Tom Staunton Memorial Cup as the first local female home, while the Pat Curley Memorial Cup for the first local male went to Neil Walton. The trophies were presented in memory of two men whose names were synonymous with Triathlon in the past.

On what was an historic weekend for Sligo with the Lissadell Concerts and other activities bringing thousands of visitors to the region, competitors travelled from all over Ireland and the U.K. to participate in Sunday’s event. 264 started the triathlon and a total of 255 finished the grueling spectacle. The second beach at the picturesque seaside resort again hosted the start of the 750 meter swim.

The triathletes were broken into three ‘waves’ and the first group of ‘elite’ competitors took to the water at just before 11a.m. A heavy shower cleared prior to the ‘off’ and as the swim developed it became clear that John Morton had quickly established a lead. He was first out to the transition area at the car park for the cycle, and the eventual winner was in third place at this stage.

Walton said afterwards that conditions were tough in the swim and though his transition was not as smooth as he may have wished he set out on the cycle in upbeat mood and was to return again to transition in the lead. O’Duffy was next as he endeavoured to try to catch a veteran of the original Sligo triathlon and national series on the 5k run.

Walton, however, maintained his advantage and he was given a great reception by the crowd at the finish. Statistics afterwards showed that his swim was completed in 12.36, his cycle in 35.57 and his run in 18.25. O’Duffy, meanwhile, timed 13.17 for the swim, 38.8 for the cycle and 18.36 for the run. Reidy Johnston was followed home by Paul Reape in fourth spot and there was another excellent showing by local Gary Higgins who was sixth overall. "It was very tough but I was delighted with the win," Walton commented after crossing the finishing line.

Gary Higgins took second home in the local competitor category with Eamonn McAndrew third in 1.15.22 in this section. Second local lady was Martha VanDerMulen (1.25.46), with Ruth Kilcawley third (1.29.22).

Triathletes continued to cross the line throughout the afternoon, many achieving their own personal goals in doing so. The organisers expressed satisfaction at the smooth running of the event afterwards, with Sligo Triathlon Club’s Brian Sexton saying they were "very pleased." "We were delighted at the way things went. There was a good crowd and the shorter distance certainly got more people out. We will look ahead to next year’s event after our ‘try a tri’ in October where people can come and sample what a triathlon is all about," he added.