CATCHING THE FITNESS BUG: Keen athlete Heidi Sheehy who will be taking part in the Ironman later this month. Photo: Fergal Phillips

Ireland’s first ever Ironman competition has seen the swim race cancelled to due to poor weather conditions.

Following a weather warning issued by Met Eireann, the triathlon has been reduced to a bike and run event taking place today in Youghal, county Cork.

The triathlon was scheduled to kick off at 5am this morning, with a 2.4 swim, 112 mile bike race and finishing off with a 26.2 mile run.

Organisers were forced to re-consider the swim race after a status yellow rainfall warning was issued for Cork and Waterford today from 6am to 6pm, with coastal areas to be hit the hardest.

“Tomorrow’s predicted water temperatures combined with the air temperature will force us to adjust the length of the swim course,” organisers wrote on Facebook last night.

“As always, the safety of our athletes is our main priority and we thank you for your understanding.”

Athletes were supposed to be kicking off the triathlon at 5am this morning, with a 2.4 mile two lap swim at Claycastle beach in Youghal Bay.

However, following the schedule change, the bike race kicked off at a later time of 7.20am, with athletes braving the rain and the wind in a race towards the finish line.

In the bike race, the cyclists will complete two loops around the Ventum bike course, featuring coastal roads and views of Youghal Bay, Ballycotton Island and Cork Harbour.

The athletes will then proceed to a 26.2 mile four lap run through the town of Youghal.

Today's event in Cork was supposed to be the first ever full-distance Ironman in the country.

An Ironman triathlon is one of a series of long-distance triathlon races organised by the World Triathlon Corporation and is considered to be one of the most challenging one-day sporting events in the world.

Online Editors