Weekly Newsletter 7 April 2014

CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS VICTORY!!
From the President Michael “Mick” Dougherty

Thanks so much to all those who competed, supported and volunteered on the weekend at the NSW Club Champs at Forster. It was a great weekend. We achieved record participation and a club personal best of 2nd overall as well as winning back the Country Championship title.

While we may reflect on a few “what ifs” being only three points from winning the state title, we can be confident that we can compete and beat the Sydney clubs. Perhaps more importantly from the committee’s point of view, it is extremely satisfying to see the spirit of support and friendship that exists in our club.

My most vivid memory of the weekend was at the front of the stage with the Warringah president waiting to hear the final winner, I looked over and saw every member on their feet cheering and yelling support, a truly proud and humbling experience.

BRING ON 2015!!!

FROM THE RACE COURSE

By Andrew Rowlings

Last Saturday at Forster showed what is possible with thoughtful planning, a lot of positive affirmation, diligent follow-up and a lot of enthusiasm.

The end result being the biggest and best ever team from Coffs Harbour Triathlon Club heading south to Forster for the 2014 version of the NSW Triathlon Club Championships with high hopes of challenging the traditional powerhouse city clubs for overall pointscore honours.

Several months of hard work by the Tri Club Committee, spearheaded by Mick Doherty almost made the impossible dream become a reality.

Finishing in second place on the pointscore, a scant three points behind multiple winner Waringah, the Coffs Harbour Triathlon Club team also regained the title of leading Country Club.

For those who were unaware, Club President Mick Doherty spent a lot of time studying the make-up of the Coffs entries and targeting athletes in specific age groups to ensure the best overall balance possible, with contenders for top-end points in just about every category in each gender.

Yes, at times he may have nagged just a fraction to ensure those “possible entries” became definite starters.

Great job Mick and Committee members.

Also to those members who made the trip to Forster, whether as volunteers, supporters, competitors or officials...your contribution as individuals was the catalyst for what eventuated on Saturday. Whether you contributed one point or 30 to the final tally, feel proud of what you have been able to put together in combination with your fellow club members.

Although not possible to be everywhere and see everything, it was obvious on course that competitors were especially supportive of their fellow Coffs Triathlon Club members during the event.

Those who started in the latter waves were there to cheer for the early starters as they exited T1; then conversely, when finished the early starters reciprocated by cheering the late-comers home.

There were the obvious standouts in their age groups, with the ladies prominent. Anne Grundy again won her category, and how about Karen Masson edging past Lyndal Green to quinella their division.

The younger brigade were led by Richard Pearson, Aimee Sutton and Tenielle Stubbs all prominently placed.

While the speedsters were doing their thing, working just as hard were many of our athletes who were doing their best to ensure club success on the day.

The Leckenby-Holley household contributing four members of the team.

Bob Williams, Cath Harrison and Rebecca Varney battling physical issues to tough out a finish.

Lynley Campton making a comeback after injury and contributing big points.

The new faces experiencing this event for the first time.

Denis Jeff managing to stay upright on the bike course, highly placed in his age group.

While the above were highlights for me, the one thing I have been trying to erase from my memory is the sight of Norman Howard on those fluoro orange speedos... I think this may have been a major factor in the day’s success: while others were staring in awe, the Coffs crew shut their eyes, gritted their teeth and got on with the job!

RULE OF THE WEEK

Naturally no CHTC member will ever have to face a penalty, but we still need to understand how they work. So here’s the introduction to penalties.

Rule 6 - PENALTIES

6.1          General Rules

Failure to comply with the TA Race Competition Rules may result in a competitor being penalised, disqualified, suspended, or expelled.

The nature of the rule violation will determine the subsequent penalty.

Technical Officials are allowed to assess penalties, even if the infringement is not listed, if the Technical Official deems an unfair advantage has been gained, or if a dangerous situation has been created.

UNIFORMS
As the season is coming to an end Michelle Clarke would like to finalise all uniform finances, etc!

If you have gear to pick up, a bill to pay or some borrowed gear to return can you please drop it off at Michelle’s work at (Hair at the Promenade – in the Promenade Centre on Harbour Drive).

Michelle will not be at any more club races so that won't be an option.  You can contact Michelle at [email protected] if you have any questions.

CLUB PRESENTATION & GALA EVENING
We received an anonymous payment of $100.00 on the 1st April for the Gala Dinner. If you think this might have been you, please contact Mick Dougherty at [email protected].

Don’t forget to include your name in the deposit description when you pay for your tickets.

Now that we have even more reason to celebrate what has been a momentous and eventful season, it looks like this will be a very big evening, and definitely one not to be missed. All the pertinent details are below:

•  The evening’s proceedings will be held at the Coffs Harbour C.ex Club on Friday 16th May
  
• Tickets are $50.00 per person and $20.00 for juniors. To secure your seat please EFT the amount with your name into our club BCU bank account BSB 704328 Account number 197693 (S11 if you are transferring from another BCU account). 
  
• Craig “Crowie” Alexander is our guest speaker for the evening – three time Ironman World Champion and two time Ironman 70.3 World Champion
  
• Pre-dinner drinks start at 6:30pm with the formalities to begin at 7pm sharp
  
• Dress is formal 
  
• Anyone who requires a vegetarian meal or has special dietary requirements please email Deb Tennant at [email protected]   
  
• A seating plan will be available at the door, however if you have any preferences please email Deb again at [email protected]  
  
• Don’t miss the annual awards, induction of Life Members, the memorable “Cliffy Awards” (or “Moments the Nominees Would Rather Forget but No-one in the Club Will Ever Let Them Live It Down” Awards) and many members doing their thing on the dance floor.
  

Tickets are selling fast, so get in quick to avoid disappointment.

WOOLGOOLGA FUN RUNS
By Steel Beveridge
A Jess Dougherty double, a ‘blast from the past’ and a breakthrough win marked the running of this year’s Woolgoolga Fun Runs on Saturday and Sunday. Jess Dougherty added her name to the list of ‘double’ winners when she collected back to back victories in the 11kms Forest Footrace on Saturday afternoon and the 5 kms Seaside Scamper on the Sunday morning.  She joins the likes of Melissa Bulloch (2007), Kerrie Scotcher (1998), Anna Crabb (1994), Bonnie Crabb (1993), Hilary Winchester (1990 & 1988) and Natalie McKean (1986) who share that distinction for the ladies.

The ‘back to the future’ man for 2014 was Paul Woodhouse who came down from the Dorrigo mountain and blitzed the Forest Footrace, winning by almost four minutes to reprise former victories in 1996 and 2007. At 51 he may have slowed a little but the former Australian Mountain Running representative is still a formidable force in open company.

After coming third in the Footrace 14 year old Isaiah Koopmans made every post a winner for his maiden Seaside Scamper victory.  Geoff McCann filled second spot on both days, leading Koopmans in on Saturday but trailing him on Sunday while last year’s winner, Luke Tarrant filled third in the 5kms after one of his all-too-frequent course detours lost him the lead.

Second lady in the Scamper was 10 year old Jess Deans from Emerald Beach in an impressive 22.17 for the ‘scenic’ course which combines the Headland walkway and an out-and-back trip to the Lake. Another runner from Emerald Beach, Isabel Garrett chased Deans home in the Scamper while Sandy’s Laura Skibba and a further Emerald runner, Tina Thompson were second and third across the line in the Footrace.

The 2kms Beach Bash on the Sunday saw Tim Sutherland complete his third race of the weekend to just hold off age group winner, Harrison Colyer. Andrew Tarrant filled third in the 2kms beach run while Cloe Nolan and the Kuchel sisters, Georgia and Johanna filled the podium spots for the females.

There were a number of impressive personal efforts across all the races but the priceless image of the Tiny Tots crossing their finish line elicited the warmest applause from the spectators.

The distance running scene now shifts to the Mid North Coast Cross Country Series with the first races over 2, 5 and 10 kms starting at 9.00am from the Botanic Gardens carpark in Coffs Harbour next Sunday. Please see below for details of dates and locations.

FOREST FOOTRACE (11.2 KMS) RESULTS 5.4.14.
(MALE) : Paul Woodhouse 42.08, 1;Geoff McCann 46.01, 2; Isaiah Koopmans 47.03, 3; Lachlan McPherson 49.33, 4; Rodney Koopmans 50.06, 5; Craig Wirth 51.46, 6; Tim Sutherland 52.35, 7; Neil Vaughan 53.14, 8; Andy Wong 54.23, 9; Brent McGearey 56.06, 10; Dominic Gough 56.20, 11; Sam Peck 57.04, 12; Rob Gale 57.37, 13; Peter Mitchell 58.21, 14; Tom Newby 59.21, 15; Gary Barton 59.47, 16; Chris Forrester  60.19, 17; Paddy Donohoe 61.34, 18; Gordon Abbott 63.44, 19; Ken Crabb 67.12, 20; Graeme McLennan 69.40, 21; Steel Beveridge 82.44, 22; Tom Holbut 92.56, 23. (FEMALE) : Jess Dougherty 51.23, 1; Janie Mahoney 55.40, 2; Laura Skibba 56.26, 3; Tina Thompson 57.03, 4; Belinda Caldwell 60.34, 5; Victoria Wirth 67.12, 6; Petrina Pearson 72.03, 7. 

SEASIDE SCAMPER (5 KMS) RESULTS 6.4.14.
(MALE) : Isaiah Koopmans 19.05, 1; Geoff McCann 19.30, 2; Luke Tarrant 20.00, 3; Terry Garrett 20.6, 4; Brendan Ratcliffe 20.19, 5; Chris Skibba 20.41, 6; Manning Elms 20.47, 7; Nigel Cotsell 20.52, 8; Rodney Koopmans 20.57, 9; Craig Wirth 21.06, 10; Tim Martin 21.28, 11; Tim Sutherland 22.16, 12; Mitchell Karrasch 22.17, 13; Jeff O’Brien 22.47, 14; Charlie Nalder 23.07, 15; Tony Cross 23.53, 16; Peter Mitchell 24.03, 17; Shane Newton 24.11, 18; Brent McGearey 24.23, 19; Liam Berg 24.59, 20; Chris McNeill 25.20, 21; Brad Simmons 25.35, 22; Gordon Abbott 25.59, 23; James Karrasch 26.21, 24; Col Cafferky 26.22, 25; Jarrod Sadler 27.22, 26; Toby McCann 27.27, 27; Torr Cotsell 27.36, 28; Aethan Chung-Wright 28.59, 29; Zachary Kenny 29.09, 30; Ben Haagsma 29.37, 31; Ken Maeda 29.49, 32; Warren Sullivan 30.40, 33; Tim Karrasch 32.02, 34; Tom Holbut 35.27, 35; Steve Thompson 38.48, 36.  (FEMALE) : Jess Dougherty 20.47, 1; Jess Deans 22.17, Isabel Garrett 22.31, 3; Leah Doman 23.04, 4; Tina Thompson 23.05, 5; Chloe Bulloch 23.09, 6; Cleo Abbott 23.10, 7; Janie Mahoney 23.17, 8; Fiona Ensby 25.44, 9; Belinda Caldwell 26.04, 10; Anthea Martin 26.26, 11; Jesyka Johnstone 27.06, 12; Dana Eden  27.21, 13; Maddie Sadler 28.07, 14; Kara Knight 29.09, 15; Fiona Martin 31.18, 18; Kelly Johnstone 32.56, 19; Toni Berrington 35.13, 20.

BEACH BASH (2 KMS) RESULTS 6.4.14.
(MALE) : Tim Sutherland 7.43, 1; Harrison Colyer 7.48, 2; Andrew Tarrant 8.11, 3; Tomas West 8.16, 4; Talon Mitchell 8.24, 5; Cooper West 8.55, 6; Sheldon Koopmans 9.42, 7; Reece Mitchell 9.55, 8; Nick Bulloch 10.14, 9; Yoshi Maeda-Maeda 10.19, 10; Jak Snowling 10.35, 11; Toby Snowling 11.05, 12; Zinnie Cotsell 14.56, 13. (FEMALE) :  Cloe Nolan 8.25, 1; Georgia Kuchel 9.21, 2; Johanna Kuchel 10.02, 3; Janie Mahoney 11.11, 4; Alexandra Harrison 11.25, 5; Lara Karrasch 11.44, 6; Ruth Harrison 12.00, 7; Vicky McClure 12.23, 8; Emily Snowling 12.33, 9; Jessica Harrison 13.46, 10. 

TINY TOT TROT (in alphabetical order by first name)  - Amelia Harrison, Ari Mitchell, Jaslyn Ross, Leo Peck, Raph Wirth, Sonny Colyer and Will Bennett.

MID NORTH COAST CROSS COUNTRY SERIES 2014
Normal starting time is 9.00am with 2kms event first up. Choose from 2km, 5km or 10km events.

Sunday 6th April Seaside Scamper/Beach Bash/Tiny Tot Trot **(8.00/8.45/9.00am).
Sunday 13th April  Botanic Gardens (2nd Round Partland/McKean)
Sunday 20th April Lakeside, Woolgoolga.
Sunday 27th April Overhead Bridge Road , Bongil Bongil.
Sunday 4th May Orienteering, Bray Street (No cross country)
Sunday 11th May Sawtell (Surf Club)
Sunday 18th May Diggers Beach
Sunday 25th May Emerald Beach (Fair Day)
Sunday 1st June Boambee P & C Fun Runs **
Sunday 8th June Mullawarra. (same day - Macleay Marathon)
Sunday 15th June  Orienteering, Coffs Jetty (No cross country)
Sunday 22th June Urunga  (also same day -Westpac Helicopter event)
Sunday 29th June  North Coast Road Running C’ship (8.00am 15k) **
Sunday 6th July Sandy Beach ,beach reserve (same day - Gold Coast Marathon)
Sunday 13th July Mt Coramba, King/Queen.(8.00am for 9.5kms).
Sunday 20th July Nambucca.
Sunday 27th July Morgans road, Sandy Beach.
Sunday 3rd August Lakeside , Woolgoolga.
Sunday 10th August (City to Surf) Heritage Park (3rd Partland/McKean)
Sunday 17th August Store Road, Bucca.
Sunday 24th August Orienteering, Woolgoolga Lake. (No cross country).
Sunday 31st August Presentation, Marine Magic park. (Be early for relay selection).

** Separate entry procedures – no series points for these events.

For normal races in the series points are scored in age groups for each of the distances 2 or 5 or 10 kms. The youngest age group in the 2kms is Under 8, the youngest in the 5kms Under 12 and the youngest in the 10kms is Under 20. Age is determined at the beginning of the season i.e. 1st April. i.e Anyone turning 8 after 1st April 2014 is Under 8 for the season in the 2kms. Anyone turning 60 after 1st April is Over 50 (not over 60) in the 10kms for the season.

Entry fees (unless indicated otherwise) are 50 cents for registered Athletes & Little Athletes, $1.00 all others, limit $3.00 per family.

Contacts – Steel Beveridge ph 66562735 email [email protected] or the Berringtons email [email protected].

ONES FOR THE CALENDAR

• Julia Creek Dirt & Dust Festival
  

An 800m/25km/5km triathlon on 12th April 2014 in Julia Creek, Qld. Has been expanded to a 3-day festival event that includes the “Australia’s Best Butt” competition, the Red Jock Rain Dance, horse races, concerts and Gum Boot Mud & Slush events.
http://www.dirtndust.com/

• Copeton Freshwater Swim
  

A cheeky 5km swim at altitude in Inverell. You can tackle the 2km or 600m if that is more your style.
http://www.copetonswim.com/

• Ironman 70.3 Busselton
  

Already sold out but some team spots are still available. There is a reason why it is so popular. To be held on 3rd May 2014.
http://ap.ironman.com/triathlon/events/asiapac/ironman-70.3/busselton.aspx#axzz2wINkmBe4

• Ironman Australia
  

4th May 2014. The big one and just down the road! Also sold out, but some travel companies have spots available still.
http://ap.ironman.com/triathlon/events/asiapac/ironman/australia.aspx#axzz2wINkmBe4

• Byron Bay Ocean Classic
  

4th May 2014. A beautiful 2km swim across the reef from Wategos to Byron Bay Main Beach.
http://www.byronbayoceanswimclassic.com.au/

• Byron Bay Triathlon
  

10th May 2014. A classic on the triathlon circuit.
http://www.byronbaytri.com.au/

• 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

• 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/

WISE WORDS
“If you do what you always did, you will get what you always got.” -Anonymous