Campbell is in seventh heaven

DEFENDING Men’s champion, Brian Campbell stormed to victory at the 2012 Spalding Liam Ball Triathlon on Sunday as the 27th staging of the race attracted its largest ever entry.

Almost 200 competitors descended on Templemore Sports Complex for the popular three-disciplined event which incorporates the North West Sprint, and the Hi Elbow triathlete once again claimed top prize in the men’s event.

The Larne man has dominated the competition in recent years and it was the former Commonwealth Games performer’s seventh Liam Ball triumph in total following his successes in 2001, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2009 and 2011.

Daniel Quigley - son of the late, former Liam Ball winner, Colm Quigley - was the first local man to finish in 12th place overall with a time of 1:06:11.

Earlier in the day Vanessa Fenton was the first woman home, taking top honours in a time of 1:10:31 while first local female across the finishing line was NW Tri club member, Maeve Maher-McWilliams in 1:12:02.

Organised by the North West Triathlon club, the race offered the chance to gain points in the Triathlon Ireland National Series League and ensured a top class field of triathletes from across Ireland.

Winds stayed down and rain clouds away giving competitors good weather conditions for the bike and run courses which included 30 lengths (750m), of the pool, followed by a long transition down to the racked bikes before cycling towards Letterkenny.