Group facing gruelling Ironman challenge in Austria

Five Athlone men are currently undergoing preparations for one of Europe"s gruelling long distance triathlons. Mark Butler, Adrian Dolan, Conor Kelly, Mick Macken and Dave McCourt - have decided to take on the challenge presented by the gruelling Karnten IRONMAN Austria 2009. The event takes place in the Austrian city of Klagenfurt on Sunday, July 5. Regarded as one of Europe"s most intense and demanding athletics events, the Karnten IRONMAN consists of a 3.8km swim, 180km cycle and, finally, a hugely testing 42.195km run. The race began in 1998 with just 124 competitors but has since grown into one of the best attended triathlons in Europe, with 3,000 athletes signing up for this year"s race within 92 minutes of the beginning of registration. Usually, the winner of the race completes it in approximately eight hours. All five Athlone contestants are members of Athlone Triathlon Club and are among 50 Irish people taking part in this year"s event. A large percentage of participants regularly fail to complete this intense event and one of the Athlone competitors, Mark Butler, admits it"s going to be a serious test of mettle for the local contingent. 'It"s a scary prospect, to be honest,' said Butler. 'The idea just came up in a simple conversation between the lads and we decided to go for it. The training is intense because you have absolutely no chance and are completely wasting your time if you don"t prepare properly. We"ve been training for five months and will continue until the event in July. We are doing close to 20 hours training every week and that"s what"s needed,' he added. Mark is originally from Slí an Aifreann in Athlone but is now living in Bealnamulla. Adrian Dolan is from Drum, Conor Kelly from Kiltoom, Mick Macken from Clonbonny and Dave McCourt from Coosan. Both Butler and McCourt are also travelling to a Half-Ironman event in Lisbon in April. Of the Karnten IRONMAN, Butler added: 'It"s a hugely serious event but we"re looking forward to the challenge.' The Karnten IRONMAN Austria 2009 is expected to attract over 100,000 spectators. Similar events take place throughout the year in France, Monaco and South Africa.