TAOISEACH LEO VARADKAR was among 1,100 competitors who completed this morning’s Dublin City Triathlon.
The 2017 staging of the event saw participants tackle the gruelling challenge of a 750m swim in the River Liffey, a 20km cycle around the Phoenix Park and then a 5km run to the finish line.
The men’s race was won by Alastair Rogers from Galway, who completed the course in 57 minutes and 27 seconds. Richard Horton was second and Rory Atkins came home third.
In the women’s race, Natasha Sinha crossed the line first while Ailbhe Carroll and Elizabeth Carr made up the podium finishes.
Varadkar, who was competing in his fourth triathlon, finished in a time of 1 hour, 39 minutes and 36 seconds and said afterwards that he enjoyed the experience.
“It was a nice race, the Liffey was remarkably warm and clean,” the Taoiseach said. “I enjoyed the swim, got a bit tired on the bike and the run but it was nice to have done it anyway.”
He added that the swim is his best discipline: “I guess I’ve long arms and legs so that’s my favourite part. I’m getting a bit better on the bike, the run was tough, I am not sure my fitness levels are what they should be but it was a great race, there were loads of people here and I’m really grateful to the organisers, the volunteers who make events like this happen and the Gardaí of course.”
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