Gearing up for the 2014 Tillsonburg Charity Duathlon
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George Papadakos - Tales in Triathlon
It's 4:30 a.m. as I look over at the alarm clock that's just about to chime. It wouldn't of mattered, I've been up all night.
Somewhere between the midnight hour and 3 a.m. I got what I knew would be little sleep. Yet I jump out of bed with purpose and the will to get this day started.
It has been a very stressful two weeks. The preparing, planning and tedious tasks that can only be done in the what I like to call the home stretch. I turn on my phone, get dressed and quietly leave my slumbering wifey to get a couple more hours rest. Tip-toeing through the rest of the house is easier than I thought it would be, the dog doesn't even budge.
Today I tackle a different task, one that is close to my heart, but is much different from any plain old race day. Today I put on my race director hat for the third instalment of the Tillsonburg Charity Duathlon.
I equate my duathlon with the old folk tale called Stone Soup. For those that don't know about this story, it basically identifies that with cooperation, teamwork and selflessness you can achieve great things. I started with the goal of raising money for the Alzheimer Society of Oxford and then mixing it with my passion for multi-sport. The Alzheimer Society was more than happy to help with pledge sheets, advertising and volunteers. They even scored me a spot on the daytime news with John Harada.
As the soup... ahem... I mean race was simmering many of our great community members and business owners started to ask what I was doing. Just like the story, they all brought their little help to the proverbial pot. Things really started to bubble and news spread through the community about this new race. Friends challenged friends, moms versus sons, wives against husbands and all of us against a very formidable foe.
The registration list started to grow, volunteers stood side by side and together we made something that should make everyone that lives in Tillsonburg, and has raced or volunteered for the Tillsonburg Charity Duathlon very proud.
I make a point of talking with everyone that comes to my race to see how they liked it and what we can improve upon. People love the town of Tillsonburg, the race course and how the natives have embraced such a great race that is in our backyard.
Race day is always a blur of activity, but with all the key ingredients already in the pot I know that the day is already going to be a success.
After three years we have raised approximately $10,000 for the Alzheimer Society of Oxford, and with this year's race rapidly approaching I know that we will improve upon that.
2014 Tillsonburg Charity Duathlon
Sunday, Sept. 28 - 9:30 a.m. (Memorial Park)
2014 Kids Fun Run - 11 a.m.
Registration for the 2014 duathlon is open and offers a great race venue with a distance that favours the novice athlete, weekend warrior or person who just wants to see what they've got. The race features a 3km run, 15km bike and then another 3km run, and a year of bragging rights.
We also have a relay option so that you and a friend or family member can take on the race. At the end of the day we have a kids fun run that features a one mile run that finishes in front of all family and friends. You can visit us at www.charityduathlon.ca for more race information or register in person at Corey's Restaurant at 10 Brock Street East.
For any other inquires, questions or if you would like to sponsor this charity event please contact me at triathlongeorge@hotmail.com.
Until I see you at the start line (and I hope I do) train safe, and have fun.