CHALLENGE GOLD COAST RACE REPORT
By Clint Rowlings

Driving from Coffs to the Gold Coast with your windscreen wipers going flat out for the whole trip is far from motivating when you know the following morning you will be out in the elements going into battle with yourself and 1500 other not-yet-diagnosed, mentally insane people. "Welcome to Challenge Gold Coast"...........really?

The swim course looks like dirty dish water, the roads look like water slides at Wet n' Wild and the run looks like it's going to be a 21km wade through knee deep water!

After constant rain Friday and Saturday the event organisers were forced to shorten the ride from the original 90km to 40km for safety reasons. We were all informed of this Saturday evening. Come Sunday 6am it didn't matter what the weather was doing, it was go time!

The swim was held in Currumbin Creek. Besides the soup-like water, it was a well set out course with massive turning buoys and lots of room to not get caught up in the fight.  Once out of the water it was onto our trusty steeds, with the ride through the rolling hills of Currumbin Valley. Conditions were tricky as the rain started again. I think most competitors would have been happy to get through in one piece!

Out onto the run and yet again it was 21km of playing dodge the puddles. Two 10km loops along the beach front of Palm Beach and Currumbin was what greeted competitors - a great view on what will become an iconic race. Although the ride was shortened to 40km it was amazing to see the amount of people who had cooked themselves by the second lap of the run! 

TRIATHLON HISTORY IN OUR MIDST
We have lots of talent, both overt and hidden amongst our club members. But many of you may not know that our own CHTC Life Member John Daffy was instrumental in developing the first triathlon wetsuit.

The history of triathlon and the development of the triathlon wetsuit is a very interesting one. Its evolution is a testament to the dedication, fitness and downright hard-core of those involved in triathlon in its early days. Makes us all look so soft with our carbon bikes, high-tech wetsuits and array of running shoes.

See the link below and next time you’re floating out there like a cork, warm and comfortable in your wetsuit, save a thank you to our own JD for his contribution.
http://trihistory.com/features/danny-boy-and-rubber-suit-brigade#/2  

ADVENTURETHON COFFS HARBOUR
If you want to try your hand at a multi-sport adventure with a difference, then the Coffs Harbour Adventurethon on 11 & 12 October may be just what you’re looking for.

This event was held last year with great feedback from all participants. There are events for all levels of fitness, with the Ultra being the big one. If you don’t think you can paddle 16km, run 10.69km, ride 35km and back it up with a 6km run then perhaps try one of the other smaller distances. There is also a duathlon for those not keen on the paddle, and a junior & beginner event for those who just want to give it a try.

The organisers have promised a particularly tough mountain bike ride in the surrounding hills for the Ultra and the duathlon. Time to get muddy!

COFFS CYCLE CHALLENGE
About 850 cyclists turned out on Sunday for the annual Coffs Cycle Challenge in what were some pretty ordinary conditions. It was cold, windy and wet at times, but all were happy to be there to take on their various distances.

The male winner of the 100km ride, Daniel Alcock, completed the course in 2:39:33. The female winner came in at 2:53:15.

CHTC was well represented, with some members completing the 100km for the first time. For a few, this was the first time they had ridden so far in one go. Congratulations to everyone who made that milestone, and also to everyone who participated in the event.

All results can be viewed at http://www.multisportaustralia.com.au/Home/QuickResults?clientId=1&raceId=1104.

A big thank you to organising committee for putting on this event, which just gets bigger and better every year.