A quick heads up to mark your calendars:
The 2010 Loaring Triathlon will take place on Saturday, July 17th.
Please stay tuned for updated 2010 details on the event website.
All proceeds go to the Elena Loaring Memorial Fund for Breast Cancer Research through the University of Windsor.
ALL DONATIONS WILL BE DOUBLED BY THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT
As everyone knows, October is breast cancer awareness month. Click on the image below to read an article about the Loaring Triathlon, in this month's Breast Cancer Issue of Body Magazine
By Lauren O'Neil, Windsor Body Magazine, October 2008
Loaring Triathlon Makes Return
The 8th Elena Loaring Memorial Triathlon event was held on Saturday on the shores of Lake Erie. The event, held now once every two years, represents a unique competition that is very beginner and spectator friendly with its short distances, and unique racing format.
Competitors in the Beginner Triathlon are challenged with an opening leg of swimming that stretches 375 metres in the choppy shores of Lake Erie. They then proceed into the bicycle area and gear up for a second leg of the race that takes them11 kms that starts and ends off of County Road 50. The athletes then complete their journey with a 2.6 kms run.
Co-Race Director Charlotte Loaring confirmed that, “Our goals are to continue to encourage new people to the exploding and popular sport of triathlon, motivate our community members to lead active and healthy lifestyles, and reach our fundraising goal of $100,000. We do this with the amazing help and generosity of over 450 volunteers, spectators, and local sponsors.”
Named in honour of their late mother, the triathlon raised funds for a breast cancer scholarship fund that receives dollar for dollar matching funds from the government.
“Our next event is in 2010 and we will be announcing a new and exciting fundraising cause,” remarked James Loaring, co-race director. “This year’s event was a great success and we reached our goal of raising over $100 000 for the Elena Loaring Memorial Fund for Breast Cancer Research.”
Full article here
FIGHT TO THE FINISH
Maureen Balsillie, left, and Laura Docherty race toward the finish line Saturday at the Elena Loaring Memorial Triathlon. Balsillie finished second and Docherty third in the women's beginner division.
TRIATHLON WINNERS
David Sharratt of Guelph finished first overall at the eighth Loaring Triathlon Saturday, finishing the double triathlon event in a time of one hour, 10 minutes, 55 seconds.
Windsor's Josh Seifarth was second (1:11:37) and Matt Gervais third (1:12:32).
Windsor's Nicki Nolte led the women in 1:23:20. Leamington's Emilie Potvin was second (1:23:37), while Windsor's Sarah Woodworth was third (1:24:58).
For results, see B7.
Photograph by : Star photo: Dan Janisse
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.
Triathlon celebrates athletics
Derek DeBono, Special to The Windsor Star
Published: Thursday, July 24, 2008
The visitor stood near the shore of Lake Erie trying to identify the tree that stood before him when the horn sounded, sending the swimmers into the water.
The swimmers were triathletes, starting the first leg of their three-part journey to the finish line. The tree was a magnolia, planted in memory and celebration of the life of Elena Loaring.
The Loaring triathlon began in 1999 by Charlotte Loaring and her brother James amid the lush surroundings of the family cottage near Colchester. It has evolved into an intimate and charming fundraiser for research into breast cancer, the disease that claimed the life of Elena in 2004.
The charm of the event is in its simplicity. It's a shorter version of the Olympic distance, which makes it achievable for beginners. Experienced triathletes looking for a greater challenge complete the course twice.
The Loaring Triathlon has left the complexities of science behind. It isn't about the mechanics of swimming, personal bests or podium potential. It is anti-elite in its design, yet manages to maintain the professional standards of a top sports event. It takes you back to the spirit of athletics, to a time when a footpath, a lake and a country road provided the perfect sports environment. Swimming, biking and running are natural cross-training sports we have always done for recreation.
It's about first-timers like Joe Fornitron, 14, who slipped out of the transition area and past the magnolia tree as smooth as silk, and about Heather Douglas, who rode the 11-kilometre second leg of the race on a borrowed bike. It is about having fun and being a part of a gesture of love for the sport of triathlon that has grown into a larger gesture of love and support for friends, family and the survivors of cancer.
Athletes, regardless of age, size or ability, develop a strong and rarely seen intimacy even when they don't know each other but when the venue they're competing in has significance. Elena Loaring passed away at the cottage, surrounded by family, her favourite music and magnolia trees. It's that kind of history that awakens one's sense of mortality and rekindles a zest for life.
Full article here
The 2008 Loaring Triathlon was a great success. We have unofficially achieved our goal of raising over $100 000 for the Elena Loaring Memorial Fund for Breast Cancer Research.
To Elena Loaring--for being the greatest mom, and a great friend to many--we all salute you.
To the participants--especially those who completed their first triathlon--we salute you.
To the volunteers--who were all incredible in making the event a well-oiled machine--we salute you. Below I have cut and pasted an email that Charlotte sent out to our champion volunteer team.
To the sponsors--for being so gracious in donating product, services, or $$$--we salute you.
Dear Volunteer Team,
This morning, after the final bit of clean-up, I left the cottage in the same way I always do. I looked up at my mom's vase (a symbol of her physical presence), and her memorial tree (a symbol of her lasting life and memory), and I was immediately overcome with emotion. I realized what a great day I had just been part of; what amazing friends and family I have in my life; and the legacy of my mom's "arms wide open philosophy", strongly rooted, by her, in my brother, my father, and I. We can all firstly thank Elena Loaring for the inspiration.
Next, thank YOU from the bottom of our hearts, for helping make this event a memorable and successful one again this year. We are so very grateful for your contributions, time, and support. Despite slightly smaller numbers than some previous years, we consider this event our greatest success to date, as it was the most smoothly run and organized event we've ever had. Unofficially, we reached our ultimate fundraising goal of $100 000 for The Elena Loaring Memorial Fund for Breast Cancer Research.
Special thanks to the following people for their extraordinary voluntary efforts:
Miro Tot & Keith Henry - Miro & Keith were our tireless Bike Captain's (the toughest part of the course, and the most efficiently organized to date), who worked non-stop Friday & Saturday. (Keith's company, Windsor Mold Group, was also our top financial sponsor.) Thanks also to the team of volunteers on the bike course, including: Adrian Berkeley (who also made a special trip to assist on Friday with set-up), Karen Rocheleau (of the famous Thursday Night Social Running Group), Peggy Cozens, Eric Robertson, Mike Carter, Carolyn Harris, Bob Sidhu, Jeff Scott, Jaicee Rowan & friend Lauren, Miro Tot Sr, Jeff Digou, Rose Caille, Larry Letwin, Barb White, and several others who offered assistance on race-day due to volunteer support needs.
Nissim Abergel - Nissim was our extraordinary Parking and Clean-up Captain, staying until the afternoon on Sunday to ensure all was packed up and organized for 2010. He was assisted by parking co-captains Anthony Pannicia and Dick Watson (who was a jack of all trades on Saturday!).
John Sasso & Lindsey Manning - Doubling as Transition Zone Captains and swim lifeguards, they donated amazing full days of help on Friday and Saturday. Their transition team included assistance from breakfast chef & transition super-star Ralph Iannitelli, Bill Davies (who also secured Union Gas donations), Jeff May, Danielle McKibbon (who also hand-made all ribbons for our participants this year), Mike McWha, Krystle Campbell (who did numerous pick-ups the week leading up to race), and John McKibbon (our OAT official).
Rob Tranter & Tim Colbourne - Rob & Tim, our awesome Running Captains, assisted both Friday and Saturday with course set-up, and tackled the challenging needs of the run course segment. Tim doubled as our media contact, securing an interview for us with AM800, as well as perking the interest of the Windsor Star. Their running team included: Celeste Broadbent, Karen Goran, Haydon & Fallon Mitchel, Serena Hunt, and Kelly Krahn (who earlier in the month assisted with hand-delivering of triathlon event information to all neighbours along the race course).
Steve Watson & Jeff Cowan - Our dedicated swim captains, worked well with kayakers Randy Soepboer and John Loaring, and fellow lifeguard Michelle. Thanks also to Steve & Ashley for making the extra trip Friday night to lend us a hand.
Registration, Raffle & Awards - This was an area that spanned weeks, with the help of fellow colleages Adrienn Nagy & Jody Rowan. Adrienn and Jody sold nearly $1000 in raffle tickets for items generously donated by our many sponsors. On event day, Coleen Tot, Annie Bison, Raquel Cowan, and Kathy Sidhu were efficient and organized with race-kit pick-up, body marking, and awards assistance. Coleen secured us 50 bags of free ice, and special thanks to Kathy Sidhu & Carolyn Harris for chopping hundreds of veggies on Friday night! Breanne Loaring, and Janet, Brian & David Sharatt provided immeasureable support and help all weekend with unloading and set-up, and groceries for all volunteers over the weekend.
Motor City Sertoma - What a group! Lead by Audree Sprague (whose husband and good friend of the Loaring Triathlon - John Sprague - continues his battle in hospital with colon cancer....we love you John). This amazing group of volunteers cooked and sold hundreds of dollars of food and drink, while making additional financial and door prize contributions. Audree brought food leftovers to neady people at Iris House, and hard-working staff at Met hospital so that no food was wasted.
Loaring Physiotherapy Staff - Thom Lovell, Erin Seguin, and Larry Brun donated their massage services the entire afternoon, while Mary Brannagan and Steve Georges were on-site physiotherapists who also came up with a Triathlete Specific handout of target exercises. This was the 3rd weekend in a row that the Loaring staff volunteered their medical services in their community - amazing!
Photographers - Professional photographers, Ed Goodfellow and Gil Shaw, dragged themselves away from the Dragonboat Races early on Saturday to capture our event, along with at least 3 reporters that I know of from local newspapers.
Elvis & Better Than Nuttin Band - Both talented musical line-ups donated their time and talent for free, and were especially appreciated by the die-hards in the group, who enjoyed them until the rain went away and the stars came out. Special thanks to Guido from Windsor Mold Group who assisted to equipment pick-up and set-up.
Wilf Goron - Our Heinz sponsor contact, Wilf also secured Elvis and our first ever Dove Release. Thank you for your unique and lasting impression on the 2008 Loaring Triathlon.
Our Neighbours (The Pawluk & Lawton Family's) - Enormous thank you to both neighbours for their patience, understanding, and support of our event and cause, involving the necessary and complete use of their respective properties.
Our Family - Last, but certainly not least, thank you to our father John, and our new family - the Sharratt Family (Breanne, Janet, Brian, and David) for their ongoing support and super assistance throughout this process.
We hope to see you all in 2010, when we plan to reveal the exciting annoucement of our new fundraising cause! Stay tuned!
Charlotte & James Loaring
Co-Race Directors
Loaring Triathlon
Excitement is brewing for the upcoming July 19th Loaring Triathlon. If you live in Essex County, turn the radio on and tune into AM800 at 4:45pm, Tuesday, June 24th, to hear Charlotte get interviewed about the event.
As seen in the Windsor Star on June 17th and June 18th:
TRIATHLON The eighth Loaring triathlon takes place July 19 in Essex. Beginner and double triathlon events will be followed by an awards ceremony, and post-race party with live music and refreshments. All proceeds will go to the Elena Loaring memorial fund for breast cancer research, which provides annual scholarships for University of Windsor graduate students conducting breast cancer related research. Visit loaring.com to access pledge and registrations forms, and other information. To volunteer, contact Charlotte Loaring at 519-257-3762 or e-mail charlotte@loaringphysio.com.
I would like to express a huge monster thanks to the many supporters and sponsors who have provided incredible support in sponsoring the Loaring Triathlon. We have currently raised almost One Hundred Thousand Dollars for the Elena Loaring Memorial Fund for breast cancer research! The Provincial Government will match dollar for dollar all monies received!
The next running of the Loaring Triathlon will take place on Saturday, July 19th, 2008
Online Registration opens March 19th, 2008
The 8th edition of the Loaring Triathlon will once again be held at our gorgeous cottage-like setting along Lake Erie in Essex County, just 40 minutes ouside of the Windsor/Detroit area. All proceeds will be given to the Elena Loaring Memorial Fund for Breast Cancer Research through the University of Windsor. All monies received will be doubled by the Provincial Government!
Full info at: http://www.loaring.com/
Click the video and sing along with Melissa. Let's continue to run and tri and fight for a cure!
A big thanks to Rhonda Bonneau for putting together this wonderful slideshow.
Melissa Etheridge I Run For Life Lyrics
