18/06/2026
We have just been so busy posting about our own race the ROCA SPORTS BLACKWATER TRIATHLON that we forgot to mention Chris Gallahue race - heres a lovely detailed race report from Chris , thanks Chris
Tribesman Sprint Triathlon – Galway Race Report - 3rd round of the National Series
On Sunday morning, June 14th, I made the long trip to Galway to take part in the Tribesman Sprint Triathlon. With an early race start of 8:00 a.m., it meant hitting the road at 4:10 a.m., but it was completely worth the journey.
From the moment I arrived, the organisation by Galway Triathlon Club was outstanding. Parking, registration, transition setup and race logistics were all seamless, making for a stress-free start to the day.
The race began with a unique river swim. We faced approximately 130 metres swimming upstream before rounding the buoy and heading downstream for the remainder of the course. The start was crowded and chaotic, with three waves of around 100 athletes each entering the water. At times it felt reminiscent of the opening scenes of Saving Private Ryan, with bodies everywhere and plenty of contact. Thankfully, once we rounded the second turn buoy and headed downstream, the field spread out considerably. I found my rhythm, settled into a strong pace and swam the second half well, exiting the water feeling fresh and ready for the bike.
After a quick transition, I headed out onto the bike course. The roads were immaculate—smooth surfaces, plenty of room and excellent traffic management. Everything about the course was designed for fast racing. The bike leg was slightly longer than a standard sprint-distance course, covering approximately 22 kilometres, and I was able to maintain a strong pace throughout to record a very quick split.
Another efficient transition followed before heading out on the run. This was where the real suffering began. My legs were feeling the effects of pushing hard on the bike and the opening mile was a real battle. Gradually, however, I found my stride and began to build momentum. Each mile became progressively quicker, and I managed to finish strongly despite the fatigue.
I crossed the finish line in an overall time of 1:11:25 a result I was delighted with. My splits were:
* Swim: 11 minutes 25 seconds
* Bike: 37 minutes 44 seconds
* Run: 20 minutes 20 seconds
30th overall and 7th in my AG.
Overall, it was a fantastic event and a credit to Galway Triathlon Club. Great organisation, a fast course and a brilliant atmosphere made it a race well worth the early start and long drive. I’ll definitely be back next year.
