1. FULL NAME Joanne Marie Murphy
2. BIRTHPLACE Born in Cork, can’t you tell by the accent? I lived in Dublin for 2 years after University and have called Galway home since 2004.
3. OCCUPATION It’s complicated… in the best possible way. I’m an International Race Announcer, Event MC, Presenter and host of the Tri Talking Sport podcast. As one of the global voices of the IRONMAN Group, I get to travel the world announcing IRONMAN, IRONMAN 70.3, EPIC MTB and UTMB events, closer to home I work across a variety of sporting, corporate and charity events.
4. PREVIOUS SPORTS I was an Irish dancer from a young age, played Camogie with my local club, played, hockey and basketball in school, soccer and badminton at University. Shortly after I moved to Galway I played Tag Rugby, which led me to playing rugby for Galwegians and Connacht before triathlon beckoned and I embraced the ‘Tri Life’
5. SWIM / BIKE / RUN The bike has always been my favourite, even as a kid, cycling the backroads of Cork with my dad. The freedom, the speed, the adventure I love it . Running took more convincing, but when you’re travelling constantly it’s the one thing you can always do, so I basically forced myself into liking it. It worked, the GTC Saturday Long Run is now one of my favourite sessions of the week and the post-run dip and breakfast are absolutely part of the deal.
6. FAVOURITE EVENT (CAN SWIM/BIKE/RUN OR TRIATHLON) Where do I even start, I’ve been in endurance sport and the triathlon club since 2009, so there’s quite the back catalogue. Marathons, half marathons, an 8k open water swim, racing around Ireland on the bike, but the one that stands out recently is our own club race, last year’s Tribesman Sprint race. Home event, incredible vibe and support on the course and for once I got to participate in a race instead of announcing one. Fitting racing around an announcing schedule is a logistical nightmare, so this one felt like a proper treat and it was a super day out!
7. SPORTING CLAIM TO FAME The Race Around Ireland with the Galway Baybes in 2017. Not sure how you top that at any level. Brutal, brilliant and the achievement I’m most proud of.
8. GUILTY PLEASURE: After an extended or hectic work trip I love nothing more than spending my first day at home on the couch in my pj’s binging on Netflix, Day of the week? Irrelevant. The couch is getting me.
9. FAVOURITE PLACE TO TRAIN? I get to travel to lots of amazing places with my work, but there really is no place like home, despite the West of Ireland weather. We are so lucky to have a multitude of options for swimming, cycling and running outdoors on our doorstep in Galway.
10 YOUR GTC HERO – AND WHY? Can I pick everyone? Specifically, the beginners. The ones who show up not knowing what they’re getting into, a little nervous, probably wondering what on earth they’ve signed up for. Triathlon is fun, but it’s daunting, no matter your background or ability. It takes real courage to take that first step. But here’s the thing, that first step can genuinely change your life. I know it changed mine (far beyond my current occupation). So if you’re new to the club and the sport, welcome, well done and buckle up. The hard part is already done, now the fun begins.
