2010 ATHENA video

The Windsor Star and Media Street Productions visited Loaring Physio a couple of weeks ago, and then put together this short video that was shown (right before Charlotte accepted her award) at the 2010 Windsor-Essex Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards.

Ironman draws on memory of father-in-law

By Dave Waddell, Windsor Star, December 1, 2009

After carrying the memory of Larry Azzopardi during 12 hours of Sunday's Ironman Cozumel triathlon, Doug Crowe finished the journey by escorting his father-in-law to his final resting place as a pallbearer at his funeral in Essex Tuesday.

It was as it should be.

Azzopardi, who founded Laval Tool and Mould Industry over 30 years ago, died Nov. 22 in Atlanta from complications of a blood clot while enroute to Cozumel to watch Crowe compete in his first Ironman competition.

Azzopardi was 75.

"Larry was always so supportive of me," said Crowe, who trained seriously for a year for the race.

"He was such a driven, competitive guy. That's why he loved to go with me.

"He could see some of himself through me."

Crowe, who has competed in numerous triathlons and run in four marathons with Azzopardi in tow, finished the Ironman in 12:10:28. His time in completing a 2.8-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride and a marathon was good enough to place him 42nd in the men's 45-to-49 years division. Overall, the Essex resident finished 393rd out of the 2,500 competitors.

Crowe was one of five area athletes to compete in the race.

Also participating were Amherstburg's Keith Henry (13:57:51), Tecumseh's Maria Eid (14:22:13), Essex's Dennis Masse (14:22:18) and Windsor's Bill Davies (15:42:02).

FULL STORY

Windsor's Brannagan to join Virtue on tour

By Bob Duff, The Windsor Star, October 9, 2009

During the 2005 season, when back issues began to bother Canadian figure skater Tessa Virtue, she sought out relief from the Fowler Kennedy Sport Medicine Clinic in her hometown of London.

Instead of treatment, they offered her a recommendation, telling Virtue if she was interested in the best, she needed to get in touch with Mary Brannagan of Windsor’s Loaring Physiotherapy & Health Centre.

“They said, ‘She just gets it,’” Virtue recalled. “It was the best referral I’ve ever received.”

Since that day, it’s Virtue who gets all of her physiotherapy work done by Brannagan and as she preps for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games, one of Canada’s best medal hopes - Virtue and partner Scott Moir are two-time world championship medallists in ice dancing - she plans to have Brannagan aboard for the ride.

Next week, Brannagan will travel with Virtue to Paris, France for the Trophee Bombard, an International Skating Union Grand Prix event. It’s part of a new program in which the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Committee is working with Canada’s elite athletes to give them as many creature comforts as possible leading up to the big dance.

“They asked me what I wanted and one of the things I asked for was to have Mary travel with me,” Virtue said. “She knows my body, she knows what needs to be done to keep me right on top of my game.”

Full Article

An Olympic Legend Inspires Proud Memories

The latest issue of Windsor Life Magazine arrived today. A feature article by Kevin Shea focused on the athletic accomplishments of Johnny Loaring. The article was written to help promote the upcoming 80th anniversary of The Hon.W. C. Kennedy Collegiate Institute.

The cover of the magazine provides the caption:

A Salute to John Loaring
An Olympic Legend Inspires Proud Memories

Click the image below to take you to Windsor Life's virtual magazine, and then type "22" in the page box to take you to the beginning of the article:

by Kevin Shea, Windsor Life Magazine, May/June 2009, Pages 22-25

Loaring Physiotherapy & Health Centre featured in Windsor Life Magazine

Click the image below to read an article published in this month's Windsor Life Magazine.

Ironman 70.3 Muskoka Videos

I briefly posted about the 2008 Ironman 70.3 Muskoka triathlon a couple months ago here. These two videos help capture the magic of why we participate in this wonderful sport.

LPC's Margaret Wojtowicz received some nice coverage beginning at 1:12 of this inspirational highlight video (put together by the organizers of 2008 Ironman 70.3 Muskoka).



The below video showcases Brian Sharratt successfully completing his first half-ironman.



The 2009 edition is already penciled in for several LPC athletes. After watching from the sidelines this year, I think I will join the party and play in the hills.

Run for the Cure

The CIBC Run for the Cure is a magical event. The Windsor Star captured Rob Tranter during yesterday's Run for the Cure 5k in Windsor.

Loaring Triathlon Article in Body Magazine

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

Props to CoachCT

Local coach Craig Taylor recognized by peers

September 11, 2008 Mercury news services

Triathlon coach Craig Taylor of Guelph has been named the Coaches Association of Ontario's coach of the month for September.

A former triathlete, Taylor started volunteering as a coach while still competing. His passion for coaching grew from there and he co-founded the triathlon club at the University of Toronto during his graduate studies in 1999.

From there he went on to volunteer with the Ontario Association of Triathletes and Triathlon Canada, which later led to an internship with the National Triathlon Centre in Victoria and an assignment as the head coach of the Canada's 2004 FISU triathlon world championships team.

Triathlon Canada established a full-time, two-year coaching internship at the National Triathlon Centre and, as part of the internship, Taylor pursued a diploma in high-performance coaching at the National Coaching Institute in addition to coaching full time and attending World Cups, world championships and national team training camps.

In May of 2007, Taylor was hired by the Ontario Association of Triathletes as the Provincial Development Coach, thanks to Quest for Gold funding.
The funding allowed them to establish a full-time training program at the University of Guelph.

Over the last few years, Taylor has also been involved with National Coaching Certificate Program as an administrator and facilitator/evaluator.

Full article here

One Super Summer

GREG LAYSON, GUELPH MERCURY

James Loaring enjoying life both on and off the course
September 02, 2008
Greg Layson, Mercury Staff

Summer's been very good to James Loaring.

The 30-year-old long-distance runner was married May 31. He and his wife are now expecting their first child. His business, Loaring Personal Coaching, is booming. And Saturday, Loaring won his third triathlon of the season.

Loaring was the first to break the tape at the Guelph Lake II Triathlon of the Subaru Triathlon Series. He finished the 750-metre swim, 30-kilometre bike race and 7km run in one hour, 23 minutes, 23 seconds. He finished the race three minutes faster than he did last season, when he came in second.

Daren Walton of Alton was second in 1:24:12 and North York's Paul Bregin was third at 1:25:27. Sheri Fraser of London was the top female finisher in a time of 1:31:51.

"This year's just been amazing," said Loaring, who also won the Bluewater Chase Olympic Triathlon and Belle River Triathlon.

Loaring now has eight top-10 finishes in nine triathlons this season. He recently began training at the provincial training centre at the University of Guelph under head coach Craig Taylor.

"I've been really busy and it's affected my training," Loaring said. "But I think I've been training a lot smarter. Now I go into races with no pressure and wanting to have fun. And this year's been a blast."

Making it a little more fun is the fact he now races against triathletes he coaches. Travis Goron, Shauna Carter and Tim Zippel, all trained by Loaring, were three of 579 triathletes in the sprint triathlon Saturday.

"They're new to the sport and really have the triathlon bug," Loaring said.

Goron is an up-and-comer. He crashed his bike at the Canadian Junior Triathlon Champs in Kelowna two weeks ago when a spectator ran across the road and accidently knocked him off his bike. He placed 56th yesterday.

Zippel came in 309th and Carter placed 422nd.

"The athletes that I coach say they enjoy me being out there racing, but I think one of the main reasons I'm racing well is because I draw a lot of inspiration from them being out there, too," Loaring said.

Loaring, now finished racing for the season, was going to spend Sunday afternoon on a couch at home watching Ironman Louisville that was to have three more of his pupils, Shelley McKee, Ralph Iannitelli and Rob Wojtowicz, race.

"I cheer them on. They cheer me on. And we have a great time," Loaring said.

Full Article

Loaring Triathlon Makes Return

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

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

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

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

New Loaring Physio and LPC Brochure

Click images below to view the new Loaring Physiotherapy / LPC brochure:

The Lore of Athletic Legend John Loaring

My grandpa Johnny Loaring is shown on the cover with fellow Olympic legends Silken Lauman, Marnie McBean, and Kathleen Heddle.



Below is the article on page 14 of the magazine. Click on the image below to read the full article online.

Loaring Triathlon Interview

AM800 interviews Char regarding the upcoming Loaring Triathlon:

In the Press and Over the Air

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.