EVERY MONTH, A YOUNG MARY PETERS TRUST ATHLETE SPELLS OUT HOW THE CHARITY IS AIDING THE PURSUIT OF THEIR SPORTING DREAMS
Athlete: Erin McConnell
Sport: Triathlon
TRIATHLETE Erin McConnell says: “Reaching the top of your game is a marathon, not a sprint. Never give up, push yourself and enjoy your journey.”
And that’s exactly what Erin sets out to do – always taking herself to the next level. The 24-year-old Ulster University Sports & Exercise graduate took a decision just over a year ago to join some of the best triathletes in the world at a focussed training academy in Girona, Spain.
It’s a huge investment both in time and money, but Erin believes it’s an amazing opportunity for her to really develop her sport.
“I’ve been in Girona since January 2024 and I’m really loving it,” Erin tells us. “I’m training alongside the 10 or 12 best triathletes in the world. My colleagues come from all over the world including USA, GB, Germany, France and Portugal.
“I room with a Swiss girl and I’m learning so much from everyone, and it’s not just about improving my sport, it’s managing all aspects of life and how to develop to be the best person possible.”
That kind of attitude and determination came into play recently when Erin was competing for Ireland in the World Triathlon Cup earlier in November 2024. The competition took place in Miyazaki, Japan and after an unfortunate crash on the bike entering Transition 2 which added time to the transition, Erin had to fight back to complete the race. She ultimately crossed the line, placed 18th, to secure her best result at World Cup level to date.
Earlier this year in October Erin took 4th place at the Europe Triathlon Cup in Ceuta on the North African coast. “I was super happy with this result – my best Euro Cup finish so far. After a solid swim and going solo on the bike for 2.5 laps, I tried to hold onto a podium finish during the run. However, I’m still delighted with the result and grateful to my team around me,” she said.
Erin (above) was first funded by the Mary Peters Trust in 2018 and is hugely proud to be a Trust alumnus and is thrilled to have got to know Mary well during the past six years.
“Mary worked incredibly hard through difficult times in Northern Ireland to achieve her Olympic goal and she is someone I can look up to and benefit from her wisdom and advice. It’s wonderful that I can always feel involved with Mary’s Trust, and I’m pleased to help in any way I can,” Erin asserts.
“I’m currently supporting them with social media planning and advice. It’s something I really enjoy and hopefully the Mary Peters Trust will gain positively from my input.”
Before moving across to triathlon aged 16, Erin was a competitive swimmer, developing through the ranks at Ards Swimming Club. She entered and succeeded in major events such as the Irish Championships from the age of 14 and as a pupil of Strathearn Grammar School also took part in multi-sport event, The 2015 UK School Games in Loughborough.
“To keep fit and help improve my swimming I was training and running regularly but also represented Strathearn in cross-country and long-distance events. It was a natural lead-in to triathlon, and I trained hard to develop my cycling skills and technique,” she explains.
Since moving to the team in Girona, Erin is coached by Drew Box and Joel Filliol, whilst Kerry Speers from home still manages Erin’s strength and conditioning programme.
Erin’s mum and dad are of course her top supporters and she stresses: “Without their backing I simply couldn’t do everything I need to do. I’m also indebted to the Mary Peters Trust for their invaluable funding awards over several years.
“I’ve also been hugely fortunate to receive support from my sponsor Associated Pipeline Products (APP). They’ve really helped me a lot this year. Their financial input has been invaluable and I’m looking forward to working with them on my path to potential Olympics selection.
“It would be truly amazing to be part of the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. I’ve still a journey to travel and I’ll continue to train hard and compete to the very best of my ability and hopefully realise my dream.”
Japan crash
