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MEETING
TrimaX-magazine : Can you guys tell us a little bit more about yourself?
Eimear: I’m Irish, 34, I started triathlons as an age Ritchie: I’m 29 years old. From Montrose in Scot-
group athlete around 2008. I was going to study to land. I started doing triathlon when I was 15 years
become a teacher and bought a bike just before I old. One of my friends did triathlon so I did a race
left. During my studies I met some triathletes and with him and really enjoyed it although I wasn’t
they took me out on the bike. I loved it and even- very good. Before triathlon I played football and
tually decided to try a triathlon. As a kid I was into golf with friends but nothing too serious. I did a
horses and used to compete in Tetrathlon events degree in Sportsturf and Agronomy a few years
(4 sports of swimming, running, x country horse ago but am just doing triathlon now!
riding and shooting). The run was 1500m and the
swim was just 3 mins so it’s quite different from
Ironman. We didn’t take it too seriously but I ma-
naged to be fairly successful at it. I have a degree
in sports psychology and a PGCE (Teaching qua-
lification) in Physical Education. I worked in a full
time job as a teacher before quitting to follow my
dreams in triathlon.
TrimaX-magazine : What are your best results since you started?
Eimear: I stared racing as a professional in some Ritchie: I’ve raced as a professional for 12 years.
small races in 2011 and went full time in 2013 In ITU until 2013 then I moved to long course
when I went to train with Team TBB and coach racing. My best results are: ITU European U23
Brett Sutton. My best results would be my 3 x champion 2007, ITU World U23 Championships
Iron-distance wins including, IM UK, IM Mallor- 4th 2007, Cozumel ITU World Cup 8th 2013, Eu-
ca and Embrunman and 7x70.3 race wins. ropean Ironman 70.3 champion 2013, Alpe d’Huez
long course champion 2013.
TrimaX-magazine : Do you have a preference between Olympic, Half and Iron distance?
Eimear: I prefer half ironman but I also love iron- Ritchie: I enjoy racing all distances and feel I can
man. do well at them all when I’m very fit although I’ve
struggled to get into good shape the last couple of
years.
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