Race Batman

Batman will be competing at the 2009 Éireman Triathlon festival! Check out his fundraising page at http://www.justgiving.com/alptri/. He is fundraising for Aspire – supporting people with spinal injury.

This does sound like a spoof or a late April fool’s joke but apparently it is genuine. On the 23rd of August in Courtown Harbour, Co Wexford the Caped Crusader will be taking part in the Éireman Middle distance triathlon. Batman (aka Mike Griffiths) 38 an Osteopath from Swansea, South Wales is a renowned competitor and fundraiser on both sides of the Irish Sea. He has competed in his trademark Batman outfit at some of the most prominent triathlons around the world. His triathlon CV is as impressive as his fundraising. ‘I’ve raced against Mike several times and he always brings a smile to spectator’s faces. We are delighted that he picked Éireman to be his key race in Ireland this year’ says Eoin Ryan – Éireman race director.

Mike will be wearing a full Batman costume while cycling the bike and completing the run section of the Triathlon. When asked why he picked triathlons Mike replies ‘I started as Batman to show people you can enjoy triathlon, it's not just for the amazing athletes. Normal people (well almost!) can do triathlons too, you can still enjoy some Guinness, and eat chips, etc. if you do them, hence the Guinness at the finish line tradition’.

Mike is one of the many Triathletes coming from abroad to take park in the inaugural Éireman triathlon. Other nationalities include: English, Scottish, Welsh, French, Dutch, Spanish, Swedish and even Australian. The Éireman X – Off road triathlon is currently being advertised by Discover Ireland on the National radio stations. Éireman X takes place in Courtown Harbour, Co Wexford on May 10th. This is the first time an off–road triathlon has been staged in Ireland.