Great things often have inconspicuous beginnings, and so it was with Mary Laverty’s triathlon career in 2005. Having joined Felda gym, she saw their annual indoor triathlon advertised, thought it sounded like fun, and entered. Setanta’s Blackrock sprint tri was on later the same year, and having enjoyed the challenge the first time around she entered again, using a secondhand bicycle. The friendly brunette loved the experience, and was well and truly hooked.
Husband Mickey’s enthusiasm for mountain biking played a role in her next race, the Carlingford Lough Endurance Challenge. She was hesitant to enter at first, as she didn’t even own a mountain bike, but Mickey remedied that situation and she was good to go. Mist hiding the radio mast which competitors were aiming for seemed a bigger challenge than the race itself. It seemed every event was more fun than the one before. Running was her first love, but she got to enjoy the bike as well, and her swimming prowess developed until today she coaches others.
It’s clear Mary is into this sport more for enjoyment than anything else. Even so, she placed third in Triathlon Ireland’s National Series in 2007, a great achievement. Her interest shifted from the NS in 2010, and she focused her attention on preparation for the Kenmare Half Iron, one of the most gruelling triathlons in its category. Training for the 1900m swim, 83km cycle and 21km run has included, among other things, winning the Sportsman’s Duathlon series, the Lough Allen Olympic, Camlough sprint, and Blackrock sprint distance triathlons. Her intense effort paid off with a fantastic 5:10:43, placing her second in the women’s race.
Yet what sticks in the mind when you meet her is not Mary’s achievements, but her friendly smile, warm encouragement and ready laugh. She’s an asset to Dundalk indeed.
