The 2015 UK Ironman champion David McNamee has won the pro men’s race at the inaugural Challenge Galway in Ireland, in a time of 3:51:47, with fellow Brit Joe Skipper taking second in a time of 3:55:11. While in the pro women’s race Emma Bilham from Switzerland took gold in a time of 4:16:35 followed by 220 columnist and winner of Ironman 70.3 Staffs Brit Lucy Gossage in a time of 4:22:09 and Laura Siddall came in third in 4:27:41
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As well as these two elite races, there were a special TryaTri race, a sprint, olympic, as well as the Full and Half Iron distance events, attracting nearly 25,000 people to Galway.
As well as the triathlons Challenge Galway in association with Monroes Live hosted Rock The Docks with headline acts The Riptide Movement and The Strypes rocking out to large crowds on Friday and Saturday night.
“This was the first year for Challenge Galway and we are very pleased with how the event ran. It was a massive undertaking, which could not have been possible without a very strong team on the ground and major support from Galway City and County Council, Failte Ireland and the Gardai. The expo village and festival element was so well received by both athletes and people attending Challenge Galway. We are hoping that our first year will give merit to this being an annual event for Galway and the west,” said Liam Heavin of Challenge Galway.