Men's Initiative 2023

Event Date: 22nd April 2023
The aim of the Men’s Initiative is to encourage males of all ages, but in particular, those over the age of 30, to become more active and increase their level of physical activity.
Recent research by the Irish Sports Council (ISC) has shown that males 30 years of age and older have a tendency to become detached from sport and physical activity. This is in direct line with the general age males tend to stop playing team sports and although individualized sports such as swimming, running and cycling have all seen a resurgence in recent years especially within the female population there is a steady drop-off within the male population over 30 years of age within sport and physical activity.
The aim of this initiative is simply to provide a gateway into something more challenging but yet attainable. This is to give those from all sporting and non-sporting backgrounds alike, a chance to push their own physical capabilities in a safe and non-competitive setting. We aim to prove that life and physical activity can begin at 30, and what better way than to try a triathlon and see what all the fuss is about in what has become Ireland’s fastest growing individual sport.
‘Men’s Try-a-Tri programme a big hit with participants’ – Sligo Champion
Men’s Initiative Try a Tri April 2023
Well done to all the Men who took part in the Men’s Try a Tri event on 22nd April 2023.
Check out these pictures courtesy of Magdalena Szemro and Vanessa Scanlon.
Also a big thanks to Sligo Sport And Recreation Partnership and Triathlon Ireland for their support!
And big respect to coaches Ross McLynn and John Hanley for giving the participants their time and energy to get everyone ready
A Participants Perspective

Courtesy of Hugh Gallagher:
Initiative Details
- Try-a-tri will consist of 250 metre pool swim/10km bike/4km run
- Training will consist of a 5-6 week training programme with two sessions per week, one in the pool and one bike/run training session.
- This initiative is running over March/April with the event taking place end Of April.
- Bike & run training will take place in Cleaveragh Park every Wednesday evening between 6.30-8 pm
- The swim training will take place in Sligo Regional Sport Complex on a Saturday evening at 7pm.
- Once launched, places can only be secured by payment of the amount in full through the link below
Participant Criteria
- Open to males with limited or no previous experience within triathlon. Some may have taken part as a member of a relay team or some may have experience within multi-sport events such as adventure racing but the idea behind the initiative is to target those that are completely new to the sport and of course those new to sport in general.
- Fitness levels and age profile will vary massively and those with underlying health conditions should be screened by a medical professional before being allowed to commence training.
- Participants must obtain any manner of safe, road-worthy bicycle as cycling skills will be lacking in many and the bike will be needed for the duration of the initiative.
- With winter closing in fast weather conditions may be less than ideal so wear appropriate clothing and bring a head torch/bike lamp for safety during training.

Sign up for Registered Members
Registered on Eventbrite
Training starts 11 March
Meet: Sligo Sports Complex
Duration: 6 weeks
Times: Brick session Wednesdays 6.30 – 8pm, Swim 7pm Saturdays
Price: €35 for Event + €30 Club Training Licence
FULLY BOOKED
Benefits
- Over 12 hours of quality coaching & an event for approximately €10/week
- Learn to swim/bike and run in a controlled, safe, fun and non-competitive environment
- Receive excellent tips on triathlon, nutrition, injury prevention and recovery from highly experienced coaches
- Training for three sports is challenging but has huge health benefits as the body has to adapt and variety really is the key to longevity within sport.
- Obvious stepping stone for anyone considering triathlon as a progression in sport but unsure of how to go about it
- What better way to kick-start some early new-year resolutions and take the next step.
Find out more
Planning is underway for the next Men’s Initiative in 2023. To find out more, please contact Ross McLynn: sectretary@sligotriathlon.ie or rmclynn@gmail.com, message Sligo Triathlon Club on Facebook, or drop us a line using the form below.