Name: Art Mac Manusa

Triathlon Club: Belpark

Hometown: Baile Átha Cliath. Living in Galway now though.

Nationality: Irish

Family: Three older brothers, so I learnt how to fight from a young age. We get on great now though.

Education:
Leaving Cert (as Gaeilge)
Degree in International Commerce & Irish Language, UCD.

Relationship Status: In a relationship

Height: 6’2”

Race Weight: 75 kgs

Hobbies: Surfing, Photography, Irish Language & XC Mountain Biking

Occupation: Substitute teacher in Irish language Primary Schools. Also work for OnYourBike.ie, a bicycle holiday company.

What does your job entail: Teaching all Primary subjects as Gaeilge. With OnYourBike.ie we’re researching potential new cycling tours at the moment. I wish it was all out cycling looking for new routes but it’s mainly working from home on the computer.

How many hours per week do you work: Varies.

 

 

How long have you being doing triathlon: 3 Year

How do you combine triathlon with your other commitments and what are your other commitments:

I’m terrible at early mornings but they have to be done to get the swimming done before work.
I try get to the pool really fast so that I’m already swimming before my body realises what’s going on.
Cycling/Running I do in the afternoon after work.
At the weekends I might go for a surf with my girlfriend/brother/a friend and take my runners with me so that I can do my long run on the beach or a local GAA pitch.

Where do you like to race in Ireland:

Dublin City Duathlon course – Short & fast.
Any triathlon really, preferably with a short swim, and a long bike.

Do you have any rituals that you go through before a race:

If it’s a big race I try to sit down and imagine the race before it happens. That way, come race day I’ve already been there before in my mind.

 

 

What are your goals in triathlon for 2008:

Win All four Dublin Duathlons
Win Irish Premier Triathlon League
Win Irish Triathlon Championships
Medal in my Age Group in World Duathlon Champs

Favourite Food: Lasagne, but I’m always hungry so I’ll eat whatever’s going.

Music: Modest Mouse.

Strengths: Don’t mind putting in the hours training.

Favourite Places: Surfing on a remote stretch of the West coast of Ireland with my brother Oisín or a friend or two.

Best athletic experience: Elite European Duathlon Champs 2007 – Five of us were together on the bike and some weren’t doing their share of the work. So that the others wouldn’t understand, Mark Dowling and I spoke tactics as Gaeilge about when we’d break away from the group. A proud moment for having our own language.

And worst: Irish Duathlon Champs, 2006 – I attacked near the end of the cycle and took the lead. I led for the first 2km of a 5km run, then stitched as Liam Dunne caught me and finished 8th.

 

Why do you think your sponsorship application was successful:
I think my application was successful because I’m trying hard to achieve some good results and Bobby – having been there before – acknowledges how hard it can be, and appreciates that I could do with some coaching.

What excites you about this sponsorship programme:
I could do with some coaching to get an outside perspective on my training and hopefully coaching from Bobby will help raise the bar up a level.

Results:

2007:
National Triathlon Series Runner-Up
Winner of all four Dublin Duathlons

 

1st Dublin City Duathlon # 1. New Course Record of 38.16
1st Abbotstown Triathlon. Fastest Bike.
1st Dublin City Duathlon # 2. New Course Record of 37.55.
DNF – Elite European Duathlon Championships.
3rd Hell of the West Triathlon, Kilkee
1st Dublin City Duathlon # 3.
1st Carrick-on-Suir Triathlon. Fastest Bike.
1st Dublin City Duathlon # 4. New Course Record of 37.48
2nd Blessington Sprint Triathlon. Fastest Bike.
3rd Irish Olympic Distance Triathlon Championships. Fastest Bike.
2nd Dublin City Triathlon. Fastest Bike.

2006:
3rd Valentia Island Triathlon. Fastest Bike.
1st Joey Hannon Triathlon
3rd Abbotstown Triathlon
3rd Mullaghmore Triathlon
1st Off-Road Duathlon, Dublin

2005:
5th European Triathlon Championships-Age Group (20-24). Fastest Bike.
1st- Irish Triathlon Championships Team Prize, Galway. (Brian Crinion, Liam Dunne & Myself).

Previous:
I raced competitively as a Junior (U18) Mountain Biker.
U16: 2nd Irish XC Championships
1st - Final Round of National Points Series
Junior: 1st – First Round of National Points Series
Selection for Junior XC Irish Team
Plymouth World Cup
Junior Tour of Ireland