Congratulations to Neil Armstrong for completing the Fitzroy Falls Marathon this weekend. A challenging but very scenic course ... he did an awesome job of it. For anyone interested in this event for 2011, follow this link http://www.fitzroyfallsmarathon.com/.
Andrew Beddie is competed the 12th Annual 24 World Solo 24hr Mountain Bike Championships.
Finally, Ford Hawaiian Ironman 2010 is done and dusted for another year and the winner this year is Chris McCormick with the first woman home Mirinda Cafrae.
Exciting challenge .... Hell of the West Triathlon
Do you love head winds, high temperatures and hot racing .... then this is the triathlon for you!
Find out more
Inaugural Coastal Classic Run - Saturday 25 September
Imagine deciding that it would be a good idea to run up and down the Honeymoon steps lots and lots and lots of times but with the added bonus of a view and that gives you a tiny insight into what it was like doing parts of the inaugural Coastal Classic run from Otford to Bundeena. On Saturday 25 September 12 Engadine Tri Club members lined up with 250 of their closest buddies to start and finish the trail run of 29.5 kms of pretty punishing terrain with some of the most awesome views around.
The trail ranged from steep uphill rocky steps, to metal grated raised paths, to narrow heath-land scrub, to the palm valley, to soft sandy beaches, to rocky sections and much more. But stopping for a moment to admire the view of the rugged coast line ... now that was worth it. Many fell (more than once) on the uneven ground and the trip hazards - but the greatest fear of some of the team was not realised ..... Deb The Secretary managed to stay upright!!
Along the way there were three aid stations being run by some of the most helpful people you would want to meet including Sam & Corrie Rowlands at Garie and Kerri Small at Watamolla (she had sunscreen and ice cold drinks).
Also a big thank you to our loyal band of supporters who cheered us across the finish line.
All ETC members finished the event including Steve McKay who was first in his age group, Jenny Henville the third woman home and first in her age group and Jason Cain finishing 12th overall.
If you think this is an event you'd wouldn't mind having a go at next year ... have a chat to some of the members about what 'might' help you finish.
For full results of the finishing times go to 'Results' under "Club Info'.
Forster Triathlon Festival 18 and 19 September 2010
The Forster Triathlon Festival saw a massive turn out for ETC members with 22 of the shires best battling it out in the spiritual home of triathlon in Australia. ETC had members racing the miniman, the sprint, the Olympic, the 1000m ocean swim and the 5km fun run. Along with the athletes there was a very strong and impressively vocal support crew on hand to cheer everyone on.
The water temperature was just a whisker above 17 degrees on both Saturday and Sunday, so it was wetsuits all around. What the water lacked in warmth it made up in clarity. One member was over heard saying that looking at all those fish on the swim made him hungry!! And the good news was that there was no 3 metre swells! The bike course was relatively flat, and with the sprint having 3 laps and the Olympic having 2 laps, it meant that the cyclists were given plenty of cheers from spectators. Michael Wills needs a special mention for his supersonic cheering voice!! The run course was relatively flat with 2 hills - the last hill was cruel as it was just before you entered the finish shute!
The 1000m swim was originally non-wetsuit, however due to the water temperature it became wetsuit optional. Although a few brave individuals did brave it in their smugglers!!
The weather on both Saturday and Sunday were ideal for racing - with such a large ETC contingency it made for a lot of cheering, and with such a great course all competitors appeared to have a great time. We also had quite a few podium finishers:
Mick Maroney - 2nd in the ocean swim and 1st in his age group in the sprint
Glenn Cochrane - 3rd in his age group in the sprint
Lauren Fitzgerald - 1st in her age group in the Olympic
Liam Rapley - 2nd in his age group in the sprint
Anthony Parker - 1st in his age group in the Olympic
Corrie Rowlands - 2nd in his age group in the Olympic
For full race results go to ‘Results’ under Club Info tab.
And who can forget Neil Armstrong - 2nd in his age group in the 5km fun run (there was no podium or medal, but we can't take 2nd place away from him!!)
In 2 months time there will be an announcement about the 'largest triathlon festival in Australia' being held in Forster next year in October - who knows what this will be, but for someone who has never raced in Forster before, I will certainly be returning!!
Jennie Armstrong
(The First Lady)
Presentation Night - Saturday 7 August 2010
The evening of Saturday, 7 August was cool and breezy outside and anything but inside the Anzac Oval Hall … the venue for Engadine Triathlon Club’s night of nights. A stellar line up came along to celebrate the end of the 2009/2010 triathlon season and to welcome in the new season .
Working behind the scenes to ensure the venue was decorated and set up in time and all was ready, were a number of people including Justine Maroney, Greg Thompson, Donna Lloyd, Gemma Lloyd, Darren Lydom and his very cute little boy James, Sam & Corrie Rowlands, Leigh Gilbert, John Beattie, Neil Armstrong and Matt McEwan.
Catering was supplied by Freshwater Café at Engadine Leisure Centre and Charles provided a fantastic range of food with people going for seconds, thirds and I think I even saw someone heading for a fourth serving. The highlight was Steve McKay and his love of profiteroles …. its all part of his training regime, of course!
Matt McEwan MC’d the night, resplendent in his powder blue safari suit and kicking off the event with a photo presentation of Club members participating in a variety of events (yours truly was quite the star!) and it was great to see our members in action.
Neil Armstrong, Club President welcomed all with a joke (for those that still don’t get it … send me an email!) and words of congratulations and encouragement, followed by the launch of the new look of ETC’s website. Steve Tudjman, Triathlon NSW President gave the shortest and sweetest speech I have ever known him to give and it was warmly received by the crowd.
After dinner, the business side of the night began with awarding of the Club prizes by John Beattie and Trent Wood, Southside Runners. The majority of the awards at this point went to our very own Ms Engadine … Leigh Gilbert who took out the Dollar Challenge, Blue Ribbon (female) and numerous other results which will be available on the web. Neil Armstrong took out the Blue Ribbon (male) prize, with Anthony Parker winning the Go Till You Blow award and Chris Nobes receiving two awards – the Lane 9 and the very coveted Goat. Sam Rowlands received the female Lane 9 award and Sam and Corrie Rowlands won the combined team Aquathon relay. Laurel Rodgers and Leigh won the female aquathon relay.
Michelle Cochrane and Chris Southwell were crowned for their achievement of completing the Hawiian Ironman 2010.
Mick Maroney introduced and interviewed a fantastic guest speaker, Trent Chapman, who inspired and encouraged us with his view on training, getting balance in your life and approach to triathlons. Here’s a link to “first off the bike.com” if you want to know a bit more about Trent http://www.firstoffthebike.com/interviews/1286-trent-chapman-on-an-amazing-day.
Presentation of the big awards then were made with Mick Maroney awarding:
Jenny Henville taking out the Female Triathlete of the Year for the third consecutive year. Jenny’s achievements were truly outstanding given she has four young children, works and manages all the other parts of her life. Unfortunately Jenny was ill and unable to attend the night so Karen Crighton accepted the award on Jenny’s behalf.
Anthony Parker won the Male Triathlete of the Year. Mick interviewed Anthony about his approach to training and probably the biggest reveal was when he first learnt to swim (not that long ago) Anthony didn’t realise you had to breath whilst you swim … for anyone who has seen him swim now, you wouldn’t know it!
John Beattie presented the second only Life Member award to Greg Thompson who has been Club Treasurer since end of 1999 and has been a member of the Club since 1998. Greg was very surprised and absolutely delighted to receive this recognition.
The final award of the night went to Mick Maroney, Outstanding Achievement for his many achievements and support of the sport of triathlon including winning of the sprint triathlon in his 40-44 years age division at the ITU World Championships on the Gold Coast and the world aquathlon (run-swim-run) title. Matt interviewed Mick about his achievements and his desire to compete in an Ironman event … one day in the future some time maybe – Justine ably assisted in this part of the interview!
With the formal part of the evening concluded the band started up and the revelry started. As the night wore on and people began making their way home all Club members took home a member starter pack which included a choice of a cap or visor, Club water bottle, a Parkside (where’s Bluey) water bottle and stubby holder, Trishave cream and for some lucky members a surprise piece of club gear.
Throughout the night Kerri Small took photos and they are available on the Engadine Facebook site for your enjoyment.
That’s a wrap of the night … I just want to put a big thank you out there to all of the Committee members involved in making it a great night, to Justine Maroney for her involvement and enthusiasm in supporting the Committee, to Donna Lloyd for her assistance with the set up and to all those members able to come along – we hope you enjoyed the night.
Deb The Secretary ![]()
World Championships 2009
We have another world champion and his name is Maroney.
Engadine Tri Club legend Mick Maroney claimed two age group world championships in the 40–44 age group on the Gold Coast last week. His first was in the World Aquathon Championships and his second was in the World Sprint Triathlon Championships on Sunday September 13, 2009. In a pleasing twist of fate for Maroney, the Head Swim Coach of the Maroney Swim Team at Engadine Leisure Centre, where a who’s who of local triathletes train, he achieved his second world championship on his birthday.
Fellow club legend Jenny Henville fell short by 35 seconds on claiming a World Sprint Triathlon Championship having to settle for second place in an outstanding effort in the female 45–49 age group. She also blitzed the Aquathon with a similar result. Well done Jenny.
Corrie Rowlands also achieved a top ten placing coming 8th in the 30-34 age group.
Fellow club members Hayden Gage, Liam Rapley, George Mifsud and Peter Rox also competed proudly representing their respective countries.
Further to these outstanding efforts, it is not over for Engadine Tri Club yet with Anthony Parker off to the World Long Course Triathlon Championships in Perth and club stalwarts Chris Southwell and Michelle Cochrane of to the famed World Ironman Championships in Kona, Hawaii next month.