What happened at Ironman in Youghal? 'It was like a warzone out there'

The dedication of triathletes has long been acknowledged, and even after the death of two participants in a Cork Ironman last week, many will continue with the sport, says Eoin English

The start of the swim at the Youghal Ironman 2023. Picture: Tri Coach Bjorn

Dawn was breaking and rock music was blaring over the loudspeakers on the shoreline of Youghal in East Cork last Sunday as almost 3,000 keyed-up Ironman athletes of mixed age, ability and experience stood anxiously, their adrenaline pumping, waiting to plunge into the heaving sea on the first leg of a sport that pushes the very limits of human endurance.

They had months of training and preparation in the bank, they had families and friends watching from behind, all willing them on, all hoping they’d complete their own race and achieve whatever personal goals they had set out to achieve.