| Triathletes benefit from the club |
| By Eddie Barkla
Bendigo Triathlon Club
The Bendigo Triathlon Club was formed after a group of local athletes held a meeting on September 14, 1988 to discuss forming a club that could provide multidisciplinary races for people in the Bendigo district.
It was to be a focal point for information regarding triathlons and for promotion of the sport.
A further meeting was scheduled for September 21 at which the club was formed.
Shirley Morgan was elected president, Rodney Evans vice president, Brenda Thomas secretary, Adrian Shoo treasurer and a committee of the following people: Peter White, Erica Wilkinson, John Bailey, and Andrew Dixon.
The first club event was a duathlon which was held on Sunday, October 30 with 35 seniors racing and 15 juniors.
The first triathlon was held shortly after on November 27, 1988 with 29 athletes competing over a 300 metre swim, 15 kilometre ride and 3.4km run.
The club is proud of more than 140 athletes having competed in the past 12 months.
They have boosted membership, with members ranging in age from less than 10 to more than 60.
The clubs knows without the valued support of local sponsors such growth would not have been possible.
According to club president David Meade there have been many highlights over the years.
“Seeing athletes of all abilities grow over the years, some to elite level while others have had great longevity and are the motivators behind introducing new members to club level and beyond’” he said.
Meade is well known in triathlon circles across the world and has been placed top-10 on several occasions at the elite level of Australian Ironman.
He has also numerous state titles including Shepparton five times.
Nine members compete in the world Ironman championships in Hawaii and more
than 50 members have competed at ironman level across the globe.
The club won the state duathlon series in 2005 and Leon Griffin who grew up competing in the club won the world duathlon titles in 2006.
Success is measured in many ways. “We have stalwart athletes such as Gavin Feidler who has competed since the very first race and still going as strong as ever, he is a backbone to our club and one of the most successful members,” Meade said.
If you are considering taking up competing at triathlon the clubs summarises their events as being “safe, fun and exciting”.
“We aim to provide support to our members through coaching, advice, training sessions and club days,” Meade said.
The club believes you don’t have to be an elite athlete. It is about participation.
Families are an integral part of the club and celebrating achievements of others.
Social interaction is a cornerstone of the club’s continued growth, with breakfast at events and quality time after where there is time to review and build confidence in the club members.
The club has built a solid foundation over the past 20 years, and see this being attributed to having a united committee focused on providing quality events for its members from the junior ranks through to senior.
The Bendigo Triathlon Club survives through the hard work and input of all of its members from the office bearers to the seasonal racer.
Members are always there to support each other as they compete for their own individual goals.
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