About Northwest Tri Club

Northwest Tri Club Committee

Micky Kerr, Paul McCafferty, Packy Deehan, Leanne McLaughlin, Patrick McLaughlin

Triathlon is a three sport discipline consisting of swimming, cycling and running, which are contested as a continuous event without a rest. Triathlons are normally raced over 4 standard distances (but variations can occur). These distances are:

- Sprint: 750m swim, 20km bike, 5km run

- Olympic: 1.5km swim, 40km bike, 10km run

- Middle/Half Ironman: 1.9km swim, 90km bike, 21.1km run

- Long/Ironman: 3.8km swim, 180km bike, 42.2km run

The Northwest Triathlon Club (NWTC) was formed in 1983 and is based in the Walled City of Derry. The club caters for triathletes/duathletes in the northwest of Ireland, with members from Derry, Donegal and Tyrone. Terry Donnelly, one of the clubs founding members is still currently active at the club. There are currently around 40 members training and competing in the club. Members cover a wide range of ages and abilities. From junior athletes like Glen Barron and David Lynch, to Super Vet Jim Jackson, who is still competing at the ripe age of 68! From complete novices to elite competitors such as David Doherty and Aileen Morrison. The club also has 5 Ironman finishers.

Indeed, the NWTC achieved quite a lot of success in the '06 race session. Aileen Morrison, Jarlath Fearon and Frankie Dunlop won Ulster sprint titles in their age groups, with Paul Mc Cafferty and the late Colm Quigley taking silver medals. Club members also made numerous top 5-10 placings in races around the country throughout the session. Club members also placed highly in the Triathlon Ireland Premier League Rankings last year, with Aileen Morrison placing 2nd overall in the Female 20-24 category, Colm Quigley 5th in the Male 35-39 division, and Jarleth Fearon 18th in the 40-44 category. NWTC members don't just set high standards in triathlon, many have also excelled in single discipline sports. Aileen Morrison set 6 Irish swimming records over 100 and 200 metres in free and fly in the 25-29 age group, and Paul Mc Cafferty winning an Ulster gold medal in Novice Cross Country running.

The NWTC have set weekly training sessions.

Swimming takes place at the Templemore Sports Complex in Derry at 6pm on Thursday evenings. Lean Mc Laughlin, ASA Club Swim Coach, takes these sessions. She is always at hand to offer assistance with technique, as well as to make sure you don't slack off too much! Between the months of June and September, the club sea swim from Ned's Point in Buncrana every Tuesday evening.

Club cycling sessions take place every Saturday and Sunday morning, along with the Foyle Cycling Club leaving the Complex car park at 9am.

We do not have any set running sessions, but the NWTC have close ties with Foyle A.C., City of Derry A.C. and Inishowen A.C. were we can direct members to promote this aspect of their training. New members are always welcome to come along to any of these sessions.

Northwest Tri Club members

At the recent AGM, club members elected the following officers :

Club Chairman: Paul Mc Cafferty

Club Secretary: Michael Kerr

Club Treasurer: Ciaran Keaveney

Race Organiser: Patrick Mc Laughlin

Press Relation Officer: Packy Deehan

Karl Vekins is also Club Official to the Triathlon Ireland Committee and Ulster Branch.

The NWTC can best be described as a friendly and welcoming club. We are always eager to attract new members of all ages and abilities. So if you are looking to set yourself a new challenge of competing in and finishing a triathlon , whatever the distance, or just looking for a fun and enjoyable way of getting fit, then the NWTC might just be what you are looking for. So, please feel free to come along to any of our training sessions and give it a "tri". If you need anymore information, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .