April 2008 Newsletter
Achilles Heel April 2008
The Achilles Heel - Newsletter of the Achilles Running Club -Sydney
PO Box 240, Randwick,2031:
April 2008 Edition
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In this Edition:
*Andrew Bristow Memorial Awards
*Welcome to New Members
*Walk for Shirley - 6 April
*7 Magnificent Marathons
*Ali heads back to the USA
*Achilles has new singlets
*Matt Levy is off to Beijing
*Nick's next challenge - the Grand Union Canal Race
*Six Foot Track Race
*Sunday Roster
Achilles has been in full swing in 2008. There have regularly been 20 plus members at Sunday training, which has been really good to see. With new people (disabled and volunteers), new bright yellow club singlets, good weather and lots of enthusiasm, Sunday mornings with Achilles has been a great place to be!
Andrew Bristow Memorial Awards
These awards were presented, for the first time, at the end of year picnic in December. As previously mentioned, these awards, one for a disabled and one for a volunteer member, are given in recognition for both personal commitment and developement as well as contribution to Achilles. The 2 very worthy recipients were:
Stephen Lenn (volunteer) and Peter Beileiter (disabled)
Heartiest congratulations to both of them. The committee had a very difficult task in deciding who would receive these awards, given the large number of very worthy candidates.
Welcome to New Members
A very warm welcome to the newest members of Achilles:
Viv Kartsounis
Nick Drayton
Pam McMillan
Craig Twentymen
Kate Campbell
Martin Ruane
We look forward to having them join in with training, events and social activities.
Also, congratulations to Craig and Kate on their engagement - they still turned out for Sunday training the next morning(that is commitment for you!).
Walk for Shirley - 6 April
This is a fund-raiser for the Association of Blind Citizens of NSW and our Centre for blind people in Burwood
Anyone who is interested in participating in this event, please contact Nick (nicholas.gleeson@visionaustralia.org) asap.
Entry into the event will be paid for by Achilles (we have a group entry organised).
WHEN: Sunday, 6 April 2008
WHERE: Mason Park, Home Bush (off Underwood Road)
TIME: 9.30AM for a 10.00AM start
TRANSPORT: a bus will leave regularly from the Everton Road side of Strathfield Railway Station between 8.30AM and 9.30AM and return at the end of the day’s proceedings
PARKING: available at Mason Park
This is a non-competitive community event – No running or racing!
There are two overlapping courses 1.5 km or 2.5 km. Anyone wishing to walk further may repeat either course.
There will be a BBQ after the walk.
7 Magnificent Marathons - 10 April 2008
Blind athlete Dave Heeley from the UK is about to commence what can only be described as a very unusual and challenging task - 7 marathons on 7 continents in 7 days.
WHAT :- 7 MAGNIFICENT MARATHONS - Australasian leg - 42.2 km
WHEN :- THURSDAY 10 APRIL 2008, 8.30AM TO 2.30PM
WHERE :- McKAY SPORTS GROUNDS, CNR GRAND DRIVE and FEDERATION WAY, CENTENNIAL PARK,
Guide Dogs NSW/ACT are organising the Australasian marathon component and are looking for as many Achilles Club members as possible to take part and help support David in his challenge. Dave's aim in attempting this challenge is to raise awareness of vision impairment around the globe and to raise funds for Guide Dogs.
If you are interested being part of this great event by running part or all of the Marathon or walking part of this scenic and safe course, please see registration details below. If required sighted guides will be provided.
This is a great opportunity to showcase Achilles as the great club we know it is and your support will be greatly appreciated. Dave will have his own support team and media group who are making a documentary about his 7 marathons. Local media groups will be present, so this is a great opportunity to get media exposure.
To register as a participant or as a spectator for the Marathon, email: marathon@guidedogs.com.au or call (02) 9412 9300 and ask for the Marathon Team. Guide dog users participating are encouraged to leave their dogs with trained staff (Guide Dog Instructors) for the duration of your participation. Care will be taken to ensure shade and water etc are provided.
For more information on Dave's challenge, please go to www.guidedogs.com.au and follow the links to the 7 Magnificent Marathons website.
For any more information, please contact Doug (dritchie@guidedogs.com.au) or Ellis (janks@comcen.com.au) or 9664 4824 (a/h)
Ali heads back to the USA
For the last 6 months or so, Ali Amdur has been a regular volunteer at Sunday training and most of us have got to know her well. She was on a temporary work project in Sydney which has unfortunately come to an end. So, we had to bid Ali farewell last Sunday as she was due to return to New York. We all wish her well and hope that 'Seductive Sydney' and Achilles will lure her back here in the not too distant future.
Six Foot Track Race
Achilles had a record number of members in this gruelling 45 km mountain race. Under cloudy skies and with mild temperatures, the runners set off from the Explorers' Tree at Katoomba and headed down the very steep Nellie's Glen to the Megalong Valley. After wading through the waist deep Cox River, they then negotiated the extremely steep fire trail first over Mini Mini Saddle and then over Pluviometer Hill. Then they ran an undulating track until they finally descended down the suicidally steep path to the finish at Jenolan Caves.
We had a100% finishing record! Well done to all the following Achilles runners who took part.
- Viv Kartsounis (4 hours 49 minutes)
- Michael Lovric (4-53)
- John Davis (5-01)
- Ellis Janks (5-37)
- Michael Levy (5-53)
- Doug Ritchie (6-24)
- Nick Drayton (6-25)
Achilles has new singlets
Those who have been at Sunday training will have seen the new bright yellow club singlets. The manufacturer's blurb about the material used is: "Microtex 100% Polyester Microfibre - breathable mesh construction; sanitized and antimicrobial; moisture management treated; easy care; keeps wearer dry, cool and comfortable; excellent drying properties, UV protection 50+" - how fancy is that!
Those who have worn the singlets have given them the thumbs up for style, cut and comfort. They are bright yellow for visibility both for safety and recognition in a crowd, and Achilles website details are prominently displayed front and back.
A very big thank you goes to the Hastie Group and the Australian Fashion Group (AFG) who sponsored and manufactured the singlets.
They are available for sale at the below-cost price of $20 each - proceeds from these being used as club fund raising.
Matthew Levy makes the Australian Paralympic Team
Congratulations to Matt on once again being selected for the Australian Paralympic swimming team. He will compete in several events. Wishing him a very good build-up to the Games and fantastic experience at them. We will be eagerly waiting watching for his name in the results list.
Nick's next challenge - the Grand Union Canal Race
Nick Gleeson is presently training for one of his biggest challenges yet (and there have been very big ones in the past). This is the Grand Union Canal Race, a 232 km route from Birmingham to London, alongside canals (that is 16.5 City to Surfs back to back!). He will have 45 hours in which to complete this mammoth task. Best of luck to Nick. We are looking forward to getting his stories about this amazing challenge.
Achilles Website
If you have been checking up the Achilles website www.achilles-sydney.org.au , you will notice that it is getting more and more information. Please do check it to get latest news updates, the Sunday roster etc. We will soon have the photo gallery with an ongoing photo record of the club and its members.
Achilles is going bush
Plans are presently underway with Achilles and Vision Australia to put together a group of vision impaired people who want to go bushwalking. This experience will be open to anyone from Achilles who wants to participate, be you vision impaired or a volunteer. At Achilles, we are always trying to find ways for our members (and others) to have new and varied experiences involving exercise and social networking. More news about this when available.
Sunday social breakfast
A date for the first social breakfast after Sunday training has not yet been finalised. You will receive date details very soon. This message is to whet your appetite!
Sunday Roster:
March 30 - Mark Houlihan, Diane Mcewin, Chris Laing, Doug Ritchie. Volunteer Required
April 5 - SYDNEY STRIDERS 10K
April 6 - Neil McCarthy, Marilyn Gould, Nikki Caminer, Rebecca Sexton, Volunteer Required
April 12/13 - ASICS CANBERRA MARATHON AND ULTRA(ACT) and 5/10K
April 13 - NO TRAINING - (BRW Triathlon taking place)
April 20 - Mariana von Lucken, Mark Houlihan, Diane Mcewin, Chris Laing, Volunteer Required
April 27 - Doug Ritchie,Neil McCarthy, Marilyn Gould, Nikki Caminer, Volunteer Required
May 3 - SYDNEY STRIDERS 10K
May 4 - Karen Parker, Ellis Janks, Rebecca Sexton,Colin Bradford, Volunteer Required
May 11 - Stephen Lenn, Mariana von Lucken, Mark Houlihan, Diane Mcewin Volunteer Required
May 18 - NO TRAINING - SYDNEY MORNING HERALD HALF MARATHON
May 25 - Chris Laing, Doug Ritchie,Neil McCarthy, Marilyn Gould. Volunteer Required
June 1 - Nikki Caminer,Karen Parker, Ellis Janks, Rebecca Sexton. Volunteer Required
Jun 7 - SYDNEY STRIDERS 10K
June 8 - Mariana von Lucken,Colin Bradford, Stephen Lenn, Mark Houlihan. Volunteer Required
Jun 15 - Chris Laing, Diane Mcewin, Doug Ritchie,Neil McCarthy. Volunteer Required
June 22 - Marilyn Gould, Nikki Caminer,Karen Parker, Ellis Janks. Volunteer Required
June 29 - Rebecca Sexton,Mariana von Lucken,Colin Bradford, Stephen Lenn. Volunteer Required
