Racing for a Cure

Racing for a Cure
By Kyle Horner - July 23, 2008

The forecast last Saturday called for oppressive heat and humidity but that could not extinguish the excitement of the competitors and spectators that turned out for the 8th running of The Loaring Triathlon.

“We wanted to introduce people to the sports we loved,” said Charlotte Loaring, an organizer of the triathlon. “When my own mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003 we started to make our own charity towards breast cancer as a tribute to her because she lost her battle with the disease.”

About 500 participants, spectators and volunteers turned out to watch the race. Funds will be donated locally to the Elena Loaring Memorial Fund for Breast Cancer Research through the University of Windsor.

Proceeds from the memorial fund support scholarships for students of the University of Windsor studying breast cancer research.

The Ontario government doubles all donations received through the triathlon until 2011.

"We’ve raised $87,000 to date and are hoping to get over the $100,000 mark,” Loaring said midway through the day.

Loaring does not compete in the event because she finds herself busy enough with organizing it, but she has competed in many triathlons including the Iron Man race in Brazil.

“My mother was my biggest supporter,” Loaring said. “She loved this event and was part of it for five years.”

The event started with a 375-metre swim in Lake Erie, followed by an 11-kilometre bike ride and finished off with a 2.6-kilometre run.

Experienced triathletes participated in the double event going through the entire course twice.

There was an award ceremony for all the winners in each age category and for overall male and female winners in the beginner and double triathlon.

Once the race was completed, racers were treated to an all-you-can-eat dinner with an Elvis impersonator, and live musical entertainment went on well into the evening.

At the end of the day, organizers reported that they had achieved their overall goal of raising $100,000 for the Elena Loaring Memorial Fund for Breast Cancer Research.

Online article here and pic here.