The last year has been a great one for women in the sport of triathlon. Their top ranked female triathlete Carolyn Hayes is making waves by podiuming at several major international races as she chases Olympic qualification. A number of women’s triathlons have been introduced with more in the pipeline.  The ‘Tri-gether’ women’s triathlon in Donegal saw over 100 women take part, many trying triathlon for the first time. Over 90 women took on their first triathlon in Mayo after an eight week training programme combining 5 local clubs and Mayo Sports Partnership. Sligo Triathlon Club will also be running their annual Women’s Triathlon training programme and event which has been running for an impressive 9 years to continue to grow the sport in the west of Ireland.

Triathlon Ireland currently has 3,861 female members, representing 36% of their membership. An additional 1,839 women participated in a triathlon since the campaign was launched in 2018, bringing the total to 5,700 participants. Through junior clubs and their schools Tri Heroes programme, junior girls membership is at an impressive 46%. Triathlon Ireland have pledged to increase their female participation by 20% by the end of 2020.