Weekly Newsletter 20 May 2014

WHAT A NIGHT!!!
Friday night’s Presentation & Gala Evening exceeded expectations. How nice to see everyone in their finery rather than the usual lycra. We all scrub up exceptionally well. Guests were greeted by a beautifully decorated room, complete with banners in club colours, a dance floor just begging for some fancy footwork and a table full of prizes, trophies and awards. The organisers and decorators had excelled themselves. The chocolates on the table were a welcome surprise.

Our venerable MC, Cliff Lloyd, kicked off the evening with a big thank you to the committee members who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make the 2014-15 season such a success. A huge thank you goes to all the committee members who have donated their time this year.  

Three of our long time members were given the honour of life membership of the Coffs Harbour Triathlon Club – John Daffy, Kath Porter and Andrew Rowlings. We learned a little of their backgrounds and what drives them to keep going. All three have had some incredible sporting achievements over the years and hearing of these earned them the renewed awe & respect of their audience.  Well done John, Kath & Andrew. All three of you are incredibly inspiring.

Congratulations to all who received an award.

Club Champion   
1st Ian Fergusson
2nd Chris Rowthorne
3rd Michael McFarlane

Fastest Female
Aimee Sutton

Fastest Male
Richard Pearson

Most Improved
Kate Marsden

Junior of the Year
Tenielle Stubbs

Iron Person
Cec Tempone

(For anyone wondering how they went in the Club Champion ranks, the tally sheet is attached. Our handicapper (and Club Person of the Year) Martin Rose informs us that points are allocated for the long course competitors over standard races with a handicap start and based on the competitors’ position across the line.)

The evening’s formalities were capped off with the Cliffy Awards – awards for some of our members’ less auspicious moments during the season. For those who were unable to attend, or who just want to relive the moments, Vicki Tillot’s very amusing speech is attached.

But the highlight was definitely Phil Benoit & Andrew Rowlings’ Q & A session with our guest of honour, Craig Alexander. Craig answered all the questions posed to him in his characteristic unassuming, down to earth manner. He emphasised keeping things simple – not getting caught up in gadgets & tri-bling, and focusing on quality training, quality nutrition and quality recovery.

More importantly, Craig was happy to pose for photos, answer questions and generally chat to anyone and everyone. His reputation as the nice guy of triathlon is well deserved. Thanks to Craig for giving us his time, and thanks to Leeann Lloyd for getting it all going in the first place.

For those of us without sore heads the next day, we once again had the chance to see first-hand how a great triathlete works. Craig joined the Saturday run group for a lap of the Creek and was again happy to pose for photos and answer questions.

For most of us, this was about all we saw of Craig Alexander during Saturday’s group run. He quickly became a speck in the distance. 

Overall, it was a great night which was well organised, with fantastic company and great entertainment. Thanks to everyone who put the evening together and thanks to all who attended. See you all again next year!

CHTC AGM
Speaking of next year, don’t forget about the Coffs Harbour Triathlon Club Inc Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 4th June at 7:00pm. The venue will be downstairs at the Coffs Harbour Yacht Club.

All positions on the committee will be vacated. If anyone is interested in taking up a position or nominating another club member for a position, you can email Margaret Gill (Secretary) prior to that date. Send them to margie_is_@hotmail.com. 

This is the first step towards making 2014/15 an even greater success than this year, so we hope to see as many of you there as possible.

RULE OF THE WEEK 
Moving away from Penalties, let’s take a look at Protests. Just a brief introduction to get us started.  You can get the full rules at http://www.triathlon.org.au/Technical/Race_Competition_Rules.htm. 

Rule 7 - PROTESTS 
If a competitor has a concern regarding a penalty they must contact either the Race Referee or the Technical Delegate. If they wish to lodge a Protest they must do this with the Race Referee within the time limit explained in the following paragraphs. A competitor may file a protest with the Race Referee provided that the action protested has not previously been reported by a Technical Official and ruled upon by the Race Referee.

TOUR DE CURE TRIVIA NIGHT (with Mark Beretta!)
Anyone fretting that were going to be away for the night of the Tour de Cure Trivia, despair no longer. The event has been postpone to Friday 5th September. This is guaranteed to be a great night, supporting a very worthy cause and also a chance to support Sinclair Black – someone who supports CHTC so strongly both personally and professionally. 

Here are the details:
WHEN: Friday 5th September, 6.30pm at Novotel Pacific Bay Resort
WHAT: Join Channel 7’s Sports Presenter Mark Beretta for a fun night of trivia to raise money for Tour de Cure for the fight against cancer. With trivia questions from Sydney radio producer and entertainer Jeremy Black, it promises to be a fun filled evening featuring live and silent auctions, raffles, games, lucky door prizes and more!
DRESS:  SPORT (optional). Prizes for best-dressed table
COST: $50 includes hot buffet dinner and a trivia night like no other! Book a table of 8 of 10 OR purchase individual tickets.

Here is the link to buy tickets    http://www.trybooking.com/86630 

RIDE DOWN UNDER
Several CHTC members have been clocking up the kilometres in the virtual “race around Australia”, with our lead member having run 593.36km so far this year. That puts her somewhere between Tweed Heads & Brisbane!

The race organisers, Corporate Challenge Events, are now doing the same thing with cycling. It is an "online bike ride" where you track the distance ridden from July 1st 2014 - June 30th 2015. Challenge yourself, compete against others and join club-mates in a virtual ride around Australia.....How far will you get in 365 days?? All rides are counted – road, mountain bike, trails, indoor on the trainer, spin classes. Check out the details at http://www.corporatechallenge.com.au/fun-runs/ride-down-under. 

Registration is $90 which includes a race cycle jersey & mementos for milestones reached on your “ride”. Don’t forget to register as a member of Coffs Harbour Triathlon Club when you sign up. Once we get 10 members registered, Corporate Challenge Events will donate $5 back to the club for each subsequent registration and we will be eligible for the Club Challenges where the club can win prizes from the race sponsors. 

COFFS CYCLE CHALLENGE
Early bird entries for the Coffs Cycle Challenge on Sunday 3rd August are now open.

This event has quickly become a staple of the local cycling calendar and is getting bigger and better every year. Now that Pine Creek Way is open again, the event will once again take in this scenic route. There are 3 events to choose from:

• 100 km male, female or team – early bird $54 
  
• 60 km male or female – early bird $54 
  
• 10km or 20 km Family Ride – early bird $9 
  

Register online at http://coffscoastcyclechallenge.com/. 

JETTY WARNING
Thanks to Judy Chesney for sharing the following very important warning:
“Just a warning for jetty swimmers swimming through the pylons. A friend got caught up in strong fishing line that had stretched between two pylons.  It wrapped around his arm and leg. Lucky he was swimming with someone else who was able to untangle him as he was having trouble getting free.

 It’s not the sharks you need to worry about!”

ONES FOR THE CALENDAR 

• Bellingen Show Fun Run
  

Sunday 25th May starting at 8:30am. There is a 10km race and a 2.5km fun run. Register at the Entertainment tent at the Bellingen Showground by 7:30am then a free bus will drop you at the start at Glennifer Hall. The race will finish at the Bellingen Showground. A great way to see the local countryside!  http://bellingenshow.com.au/files/section-3.pdf 

• Honu Ironman 70.3 (Hawaii)
  

A group of hardy CHTC triathletes are travelling to the Big Island for this one on 31st May 2014. 
http://www.ironman.com/triathlon/events/americas/ironman-70.3/hawaii.aspx#axzz2zT1xZy6B

• 5150 Coral Coast Triathlon
  

1st June 2014 in Port Douglas. Part of the Cairns Airport Adventure Festival. 5150, Sprint & Enticer distance options.
http://ap.ironman.com/triathlon/events/asiapac/5150/coral-coast.aspx#axzz2wrlL5hfy

• Macleay River Marathon
  

8th June 2014 starting at Trial Bay, South West Rocks. Plenty of time to start training for the Marathon 42.2 km, Half Marathon 21.1 km, 10 km Run, 5 km Enticer Run, 2 km Run / Walk (6 - 10 years old.), or Treasure Hunt (3 - 5 years old.)
http://trialbaytri.com.au/macleay-marathon/ 

• Ironman Cairns
  

8th June 2014. Both Iron & Half Ironman distances. Beautiful scenery on a pretty tough course that can also be quite hot. But well worth it. General entries are still open.
http://ap.ironman.com/triathlon/events/asiapac/ironman/cairns.aspx#axzz2wrlL5hfy 

• Gold Coast Marathon
  

Always popular, always a great atmosphere. Well patronised by CHTC members. Join the fun on 5 – 6 July in a variety of distances – marathon, half marathon, 10km, 5km & fun runs. See  http://goldcoastmarathon.com.au/ for more information.

• Townsville Triathlon Festival
  

12 & 14 July 2014. Olympic Distance Triathlon (world championships qualifier event). Also various other events including the “Elite Mile” – a 1.6km for the best of runners. The Mile course Record is held by Alec Arnold in 2012 at a time of 4:30.
http://www.townsvilletrifestival.org.au/ 

• Coffs Coast Cycle Challenge
  

Challenge yourself to 100km, 60km or family 20km or 10km events. Cycle the local countryside in this fun, friendly event. http://coffscoastcyclechallenge.com/ 

• Challenge Gold Coast
  

24th August 2014. 1.9km/90km/21.1km. A new one for the calendar in the growing portfolio of Challenge Races. Always friendly, always fun and always in fantastic locations.
http://www.challenge-goldcoast.com.au/ 

• Coffs Harbour Running Festival
  

Four months is plenty of time to start training and set your new PB at this fantastic local event.        http://villagesports.com.au/events/coffs-harbour-running-festival/ 

WISE WORDS
“If it doesn't challenge you, it doesn't change you” - World Triathlon