June 30, 2006

Gold Coast Airport Marathon 2006

FOR THE RECORD 2006 GOLD COAST AIRPORT MARATHON LOOKS GREAT

Date released: Friday 30th June 2006.

WITH less than 48 hours to this Sunday’s (2nd July) 2006 Gold Coast Airport Marathon, the event is already on record-breaking pace.

As Queensland Premier Peter Beattie announced today, the 28th annual event managed by Queensland Events Gold Coast has already broken last year’s participant record of 12,711.

With registrations still open at the Broadwater Parklands race precinct until 2.00pm tomorrow (Saturday), numbers are rising by the hour.

And it’s likely more records could be broken over the weekend with men’s race favourite, Athens Olympian Lee Troop (Vic), making no secret of his intention to attempt to break Brad Camp’s 1989 Coast race record of 2:10:11.

Renowned as one of this country’s toughest distance runners and one of only five Australian runners to run under 2:10 for the marathon – his personal best is a 2:09:49 at Lake Biwa, Japan – Troop says he is looking to again break the ‘magical mark’ and claim his first Australian title.

Under the expert guidance of mentor and coach, Steve Moneghetti, the spectacular Gold Coast course also offers him his first opportunity to set a qualifying mark for the 2007 Osaka World Championships.

According to Queensland Events Gold Coast Chairman, Kerry Watson, Troop will need to beat one of the strongest Gold Coast Airport Marathon international fields in years.

"We’ve received entries from over 30 countries and it’s fair to say the overseas interest is the highest we’ve seen for quite a long time,” Mr Watson said.

“Some 12% to 13% of our Gold Coast Airport Marathon entrants will be internationals, which is quite amazing.

“The Japanese are coming back in ever-increasing numbers – over 1000 will compete on Sunday - and let’s not forget the Kiwis and runners from Africa, the United States, Europe and other parts of Asia who support our Marathon so strongly.

"There’s no doubt at all the Gold Coast Airport Marathon continues to prove its value as a drawcard for the highly lucrative sports tourism market," Mr Watson said.

Queensland Events Gold Coast General Manager, Cameron Hart, said logistical and operational preparations for Sunday were complete.

"All that’s left now is for the starter’s gun to fire and we’re away,” Mr Hart said.

“Our Queensland Events Gold Coast team and a huge army of volunteers have worked tirelessly over the past twelve months and everything’s in place for what is shaping as our most successful event yet,” he said.
Gold Coast City Mayor, Ron Clarke, said the city was once again right behind the Gold Coast Airport Marathon. "It's an iconic event, not just for the Gold Coast, but for the whole of Australia.

"The vision and excitement this event generates across the nation is absolutely astounding and it has the full support of the Gold Coast City Council," he said.

Aside from the feature event - the 42km Gold Coast Airport Marathon - key events also include the Asics Half Marathon, Telstra Country Wide 10 Kilometre Run, Gold Coast Bulletin 7.5 Kilometre Walk and the Norco Pauls Junior Dashes.

The Gold Coast Airport Marathon - the Telstra Australian Marathon Championship - is one of only two Australian events officially recognised by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).

It boasts world-ranking accreditation that qualifies athletes for official world records.

For more information call Queensland Events Gold Coast on 07 5564 8733 or race to www.goldcoastmarathon.com.au.

ENDS.

For further information and comment please contact:

Tamara Morris
Communications and Sponsorship Manager
Queensland Events Gold Coast
+61 7 5564 8733
0419 393 608

Wayne Hickson
Hickson Media
+61 7 5591 2556
0407 028 917

June 29, 2006

Under the Parkway
















Rode the Schwinn bike to Tuggeranong today, via Weston Creek Post Office to post a letter to a fellow runner.

Then via Chapman bike paths to and around Lake Tuggeranong and return.
Chose to ride along Cooleman Ridge, but walked down the Kathner St end of the trail.

However the title to this blog should be explained that at one bike path fork, I diverted under the Tuggeranong parkway for about 100 metres, before realising what I had done, so had to retrace my path to the correct side of the parkway before resuming the ride.

Good weather, and of course used the bell to warn others of my approach.

Numerous walkers, Mums with their prams, a few dogs on leashes, and only a few other bike riders, including one recumbent.

I can see a little bit of dust from today's ride, which I'll use a brush on to spruce up the Schwinn bike before it's next outing.

Until Next Time

June 28, 2006

Taking it easy

BBQ Stakes today had an excellent field of runners, Aki, Speedygeoff, Flashduck, Peter T.

PRB said hello and stayed around to talk to everybody.

His first operation went well, but he is facing another in a couple of weeks time, date unknown, it depends on the specialist.

As alluded to on Tuggeranong Runner Website, http://tuggrunner.blogspot.com/, PRB is looking good, fit and well, one might say.

And the saga of the keys continues, with a twist.

A few weeks back, Karen S lost her keys while running in the Stakes, then Flashduck mislaid her keys.

Today, it was Helen and Speedygeoff, who had identical keys, and took the wrong ones, the keyrings and appendages were identical. And to round off the day, the handicap winner had to look high and low for her identity pass back to the office, ask "Rosemary L" about it next time you see her.

Who is next, to have something happen to them?


Until Next Time.

June 27, 2006

Pipped at The Post

What an awful feeling to go 93 minutes, 1 minute extra in the first half, and then be beaten by a superb goal by the Italian striker from the penalty position.

Wearily we then retired to sleep but were woken by the birds and the daylight at nearly 8:00am.

Still feeling sleepy, but have to dispense my Flashlube into 40ml/50ml quantities to use when I fill up with regular at the Petrol station.

Today's run is at Lake Ginninderra, around the lake, approx 7km.

Until Next Time.

June 23, 2006

World Cup Squads - :-))

The following squads have just been announced for the 2006 World Cup

BRAZILIAN SQUAD FOR WORLD CUP 2006
Pinnochio
Libero
Vimto
Memento
Borneo
Tango
Cheerio
Subbuteo
Scenario
Portfolio
SUBS:
Placebo
Porno
Polio
Banjo
Brasso
Stereo (L)
Stereo (R)
Hydrochlorofluoro
Aristotle
Computersezno

YUGOSLAVIAN SQUAD FOR WORLD CUP 2006

Itch
Annoyingitch
Hardtoreachitch
Scratchanitch
Digaditch
Fallinaditch
Horseraditch
SUBS:
Mowapitch
Letsgetrich


RUSSIAN SQUAD FOR WORLD CUP 2006
Whodyanicabolicov
Ticlycov
Chesticov
Nasticov
Slalomsky
Downhillsky
Risky
Swedishshev
Mastershev
Fuckov
Taykitov
SUBS:
Rubitov
Gechakitov
Sodov
Pastryshev
Najinsky
Ivorripabollockov

ROMANIAN SQUAD FOR WORLD CUP 2006
Chatanoogaciouciou
Atishiou
Blessiou
Thankyiou
Busqueue
Snookercu
Pennyciou
Twoapennyciou
Fourapennyciou
I'llgetciou
Youandwhosarmi
SUBS:
U
NonU
ManU
Stuffyiou
Lee Kwan Yu


DANISH SQUAD FOR WORLD CUP 2006
Toomanigoalssen
Tryandstopussen
Crapdefenssen
Haveagossen
Firstsson
Seccondsson
Thirdsson
Legshurtssen
Notroubleseeingussen
Wherestheballssen
Getthebeerssen
SUBS:
Howmanygoalsisthatssen
Finallygaveupcountinssen
Hurryupandblowthewhistlessen
Yourelatedtoalexfergusonssen

ITALIAN SQUAD FOR WORLD CUP 2006
Baloni
Potbelli
Beerbelli
Giveitsumwelli
Wotsontelli
Yrarseissmelli
Onetoomani
Legslikejelli
Havabenni
Wobblijelli
Spendapenni
SUBS:
Cantthinkofani!!!
Buggermi


MEXICAN SQUAD FOR WORLD CUP 2006
San Francisco
Costa Brava
Hopelez Juan Andonly
Manuel Gearbox
Don Criformi-Argentina
Luis Canon Sombrero
Chihuahua Jose
SUBS:
Jesus Maria
Don Key
Burrito
Speedy Gonzalez
Tequila
Caramba

DUTCH SQUAD FOR WORLD CUP 2006
Kenning van Hire
Van Diemansland
Van der Valk
Van Gard
Van Erealdizeez
Ad van Tagus
Hertz van Rental
Transit van Dors
Van Coova
Van Sprokendown
Aye van Hoe
SUBS:
Van Iller
Van Ishincreme
Van Morrison

Two players who are not included are Russian hard-man Sendimov, who will
be serving a three-month suspension, and the hard-working Mexican
midfielder, Manuel Labor.

Until next Tuesday
The following squads have just been announced for the 2006 World Cup

BRAZILIAN SQUAD FOR WORLD CUP 2006
Pinnochio
Libero
Vimto
Memento
Borneo
Tango
Cheerio
Subbuteo
Scenario
Portfolio
SUBS:
Placebo
Porno
Polio
Banjo
Brasso
Stereo (L)
Stereo (R)
Hydrochlorofluoro
Aristotle
Computersezno

YUGOSLAVIAN SQUAD FOR WORLD CUP 2006

Itch
Annoyingitch
Hardtoreachitch
Scratchanitch
Hic Sic Spic Pric
Digaditch
Fallinaditch
Horseraditch
SUBS:
Mowapitch
Letsgetrich


RUSSIAN SQUAD FOR WORLD CUP 2006
Whodyanicabolicov
Ticlycov
Chesticov
Nasticov
Slalomsky
Downhillsky
Risky
Swedishshev
Mastershev
Fuckov
Taykitov
SUBS:
Rubitov
Gechakitov
Sodov
Pastryshev
Najinsky
Ivorripabollockov

ROMANIAN SQUAD FOR WORLD CUP 2006
Chatanoogaciouciou
Atishiou
Blessiou
Thankyiou
Busqueue
Snookercu
Pennyciou
Twoapennyciou
Fourapennyciou
I'llgetciou
Youandwhosarmi
SUBS:
U
NonU
ManU
Stuffyiou
Lee Kwan Yu


DANISH SQUAD FOR WORLD CUP 2006
Toomanigoalssen
Tryandstopussen Crapdefenssen Haveagossen
Firstsson Seccondsson
Thirdsson
Legshurtssen Notroubleseeingussen
Wherestheballssen Getthebeerssen
SUBS:
Howmanygoalsisthatssen
Finallygaveupcountinssen
Hurryupandblowthewhistlessen
Yourelatedtoalexfergusonssen

ITALIAN SQUAD FOR WORLD CUP 2006
Baloni
Potbelli
Beerbelli
Giveitsumwelli
Wotsontelli
Yrarseissmelli
Onetoomani
Legslikejelli
Havabenni
Wobblijelli Spendapenni
SUBS:
Cantthinkofani!!!
Buggermi


MEXICAN SQUAD FOR WORLD CUP 2006
San Francisco
Costa Brava Hopelez Juan Andonly
Manuel Gearbox
Don Criformi-Argentina
Luis Canon Sombrero
Chihuahua Jose
SUBS:
Jesus Maria Don Key
Burrito
Speedy Gonzalez
Tequila
Caramba

DUTCH SQUAD FOR WORLD CUP 2006
Kenning van Hire
Van Diemansland
Van der Valk
Van Gard
Van Erealdizeez
Ad van Tagus
Hertz van Rental
Transit van Dors
Van Coova
Van Sprokendown
Aye van Hoe
SUBS:
Van Iller
Van Ishincreme
Van Morrison

Two players who are not included are Russian hard-man Sendimov, who will
be serving a three-month suspension, and the hard-working Mexican
midfielder, Manuel Labor.

Until next Tuesday

Nail Biting

The Socceroos got through to the second round by playing well and keeping us on the edges of our seats, and biting our nails until the final moments.

Now I'm bleary eyed and exhausted.

Missed the first 7 minutes today, and was appalled to learn that Croatia had scored in the second minute.

Then the shock goal by Croatia, which dribbled past our goalie.

Were my finger nails getting shorter and shorter. Yes.

Until Next Time
( Tuesday Morning next week.)

June 20, 2006

I Think I Can

Well I found out that I could.

After a few weeks without a long run, I set out to do the West Basin, Monday, and thought that I might turn around after 4km, then I might turn around before Black Mtn, then after a pit stop at the super loos, I continued on around the lake, since it was 8.5km at that stage, it was past the point of No Return, in a run distance of 15.8km.

My time was comfortable, after about 4km I got into an easy stride, and overall time was nearly the same as a few weeks previously.

Then in the afternoon, at home I dug out information of when I had competed in The Terry Fox Fun Run.

It was on 26th June 1994, in a time of 54:47.

I don't have a certificate, it is in my running diary.

Since then I think I have been doing the timekeeping, and compiling the results to post to The Terry Fox Website, to The Canadian High Commission, and to The Canberra Times.

This year's results were published in The Canberra Times on Monday.

Until Next Time.

June 16, 2006

Diamond is a Gem

John Diamond, a regular visitor to Canberra for the Marathon in April, made a huge trip from Queensland by air to be present at the 30th Anniversary of the Customs Joggers Handicap today, 16th June 2006.

He flew yesterday, but because of the fog, Canberra airport was closed to inbound flights until later in the day, so the plane was diverted to Sydney, refuelled and came back to Canberra.

Altogether some 5 hours flying.

There was a great attendance of others numbering about 86 in total, for today's reunion, some bringing photos of earlier runs, running events, and memories of earlier runs.

Rick Hatcher as M C, revealed the Pointscore winners were Paul Blessington 1st, Bronwyn Calver 2nd, and Jodie Davis 3rd.

Lucky barrel draws were then conducted and then Garry Hand gave a speech in which he revealed he was the first run organiser and handicapper, and of course he was the first winner.

Mike Stracey, Nick Blackaby, Carolyne Kramar, Thea Zimpel were to the forefront in the organisation of the day, and they all deserve thanks for the food and drinks which were enjoyed by all.

Until Next Time.

June 14, 2006

Racking Up The Numbers

The BBQ Stakes winner today, Peter Ward, has over 650 runs to his credit, while Adrian Plunkett 600, Terry Levings 700 and John Carmody 800 , in the past two weeks have had T-Shirts awarded to them for the indicated number of runs.

Adrian has been doing the treasurers tasks for the past 11 years, John Carmody has been looking after the results for a long time, and Terry Levings was the handicapper for a similarly long time.

Is it the awarduing of the T-Shirt which keeps runners keeping on, or is it the cameradierie to be had at this long standing event?

The first Wednesday of the month is the run in the reverse direction, while numerous sponsorships offer, a weekly prize voucher at the Runners shop, dinner for two at The Southern Cross Club in Woden, and A Pizza Voucher from Dominos, and other prizes are amassed for the Christmas Relays and presentations.

Until Next Time.

June 12, 2006

Walk On By

They were competing in the many Race Walking events of the 40th Annual Lake Burley Griffin walking Carnival on Sunday 11th June 2006.

Events through the day started from 8:00 am, with the last events starting at 3:25 pm.

Race Headquarters was at Weston Park road Yarralumla.

I have had the task of timing the competitors in the 10 Mile and 20 Mile Walk and I time them at the 5 mile and 15 mile distance, which is at Black Mountain Peninsula.

Sunday was fine and cool, compared to Saturday which was wet and windy, so they were probably a bit lucky to have their races on Sunday.

Headquarters was well set up with a Canteen for drinks and eats, separate race tents for each club, and other tents for registrations etc..

Robin Whyte of Canberra has competed in all of the 40 carnivals, and is a legend in the ACT Race and Fitness walking Fraternity.

Pat Fisher, a recent 24 hour Centurion also competed in the 20 Mile Walk.

Until next time.