‘It will be a very proud moment': Father and daughter to represent Ireland at multisport championships
Eddie (54) and his daughter Lily-Mai (18) are gearing up to represent Ireland in the aquathlon — which consists of continuous run and swim elements — at the 2025 World Triathlon Multisport Championships in Pontevedra, Spain, later this month.
The Burtons qualified to represent Ireland with strong performances in their respective age groups last season after remarkable comebacks to multisport.
With her impressive progress in youth triathlon halted during the Covid pandemic, Thornhill College student Lily-Mai marked her return with a storming victory in the Aquathlon National Championships in Galway (16-17 female) last year.
Eddie, a seasoned athlete, who once raced against Olympians Seb Coe, Steve Ovett and Ian Hammer, has made an impressive transition to the triathlon over the past 10 years, following seven knee surgeries.
Despite an Achilles tear and tendonitis last year, the two-time Aquathlon National Champion is relishing the trip to Spain, having placed in the top 10 in his age group at the 2022 World Triathlon Aquathlon Championships in Slovakia.
Competing in the sprint event, which involves a 1km swim followed by a 5km run, will mean 'so much more this time around', says Eddie, a teacher at St Therese's Primary School.
'This time, it will be extra special. It's been a fantastic journey for us — to train together, compete together, and now to represent Ireland together as father and daughter.
'Personally, it will be a very proud moment for me, and a tremendous experience for Lily-Mai.
'It's not just the two of us who have been on this wonderful journey — the whole family has been involved in the process.
'My wife, Caroline, who is also a teacher, and the girls Lauren (21) and Annie (12) have been such great support. We're all in it together and that has been a real boost.
'Pontevedra is a lovely part of the world and I thought: 'I really want her to experience it.' This year there [will be] 3,000 athletes there.
'I just wanted to be immersed in that, because she's going to uni now and I'd really like her to carry it on and to think: 'I really enjoyed that.'
'As a dad, it's about memories, and it will be a great experience.'
Lily-Mai will complete her A-levels in biology, chemistry and maths just a week before the event and 'can't wait to celebrate' by competing alongside her dad.
'It's been so lovely to train with my dad to compete in the same event,' she said.
'At times the training has been hard, especially with the additional stress of exams, but the event is just a week after my last exam, so it will be a great way to round off all the hard work.'
Lily-Mai, who works part-time as a lifeguard at Foyle Arena, plans to pursue a degree in biomedical engineering at Ulster University in Belfast next year.
She competes for both Thornhill College and City of Derry Spartans in cross-country and athletics. Her teams have been district champions multiple times and Ulster cross-country champions on two occasions. They recently placed just outside the medals at the All-Ireland Cross-Country Championships.
Last year marked Lily-Mai's return to multisport, and it's been nothing short of remarkable.
In March, she competed in an aquathlon alongside her little sister, Annie, before participating in the Liam Ball Triathlon alongside her dad in May, and then winning gold in the National Aquathlon Championships in the same month.
News Catch Up - Tuesday 17th June
Eddie, who spoke of his disappointment when talented children he's taught at school don't nurture their sporting abilities when they transition from primary to secondary school, said he'd like to see Lily-Mai retain her interest when she goes to university. He believes it gives all young people 'discipline and routine', as well as benefiting their physical and mental health.
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