Pleasure for 71-year-old Derek Wilkes after profitable his second Liffey Swim – The Irish Times

Ahead of competing in his fifty fifth Liffey Swim, Derek Wilkes from north Dublin held on tight to a fortunate appeal – his profitable medal from 1989.

Little did he realise simply how fortunate it could be, as he emerged from the water the winner of the lads’s race for a second time – 36 years after his first triumph.

Wilkes mirrored on what has grow to be a long-standing custom for him and lots of others as he ready to enter the river on Saturday afternoon for the a hundred and fifth working of the occasion.

[ 105th Liffey Swim: men’s race in picturesOpens in new window ]

“I love the Liffey Swim,” he mentioned. “I’m originally from Ormond Square and as a child I used to come over and look at the Liffey Swim, so that’s how I’m here.”

His buddy, Joe McSweeney (64), joined him on Rory O’More Bridge for his thirty second race.

“We’re from the inner city. We grew up here so it’s kind of like going back to your roots, said McSweeney. “Years ago, the bookies used to take bets. Anybody could win it.”

Just after 3pm, the primary batch of swimmers started to enter the water, rousing themselves with a rendition of Molly Malone.

Swim Ireland chief government Sarah Keane, who swims with the Aer Lingus Masters membership, mentioned she was concurrently “dreading” the race and “enjoying the crowds”.

“I’ve come down today not as fit as I would usually be,” she mentioned. “I’m injured and I’m dreading it, but I’m also still really enjoying the crowds and the community behind it.”

Wearing shiny blue swimming caps, the ready individuals alongside Victoria Quay threw their palms up in track whereas a whole lot of spectators gathered throughout the banks of the river.

The whistle sounded they usually had been off.

A few hours later, on the end line on Custom House Quay, Wilkes had a shiny new medal in hand. A member of the North Dublin WS Club, he completed first in 36 minutes and 45 seconds. His sons Karl and Gerard – Gerard additionally competed this 12 months and received in 2014 – had been with him.

“I feel fabulous, really fabulous. I didn’t think I could do it, but it goes to show you.”

Meanwhile, Liz Keary (52), who swims with the Ocean Breakers Club, received the ladies’s occasion with a time of 41 minutes and 5 seconds.

Also on the end line, 12-year-old twins Bruce and Lex Healy from Malahide, Dublin, celebrated finishing what they hope is the primary of many Liffey Swims. The duo, who swim with Portmarnock Club, had been the youngest individuals within the race.

“I really enjoyed it and I’d definitely do it again,” mentioned Bruce. Lex agreed: “I really enjoyed it.”

[ 105th Liffey Swim: women’s race in picturesOpens in new window ]

Swimming is of their blood. Their mom, Rachael Lee, who additionally competed, received the ladies’s race in 2014. She holds the general Irish file – for women and men – for crossing the English Channel.

This 12 months’s Liffey Swim noticed 324 folks participate – 124 girls and 200 males. Seven swimmers over 70 took half, with birthday woman Marie Kelly the oldest participant at 77.