Ironman challenge bringing a family together
TWO brothers living more than 6000km apart chose Sunday’s IRONMAN 70.3 Geelong as a goal for their dad’s exercise recovery after heart surgery.
Singapore-based Will and Bermagui, NSW-based Ed decided after their father John Clarke had surgery to correct a heart murmur, to set him a goal that would get him exercising.
Being 6353km apart, they decided an ironman event in Geelong would be a great way to spend some time together.
“There are not many sports where you can participate as a family and where regardless of ability, speed or skill, get such a large amount of satisfaction out of purely personal results/ times or even just finishing,” Will said.
“So we are really excited at the chance to do something together that we have never been able to do before”.
Ed, 28, is the only team member with any triathlon experience having completed Ironman 70.3 Putrajaya, in Malaysia last year.
He is taking on the bike leg, while John, 62, will do the swim, leaving 30-year-old Will with the run.
“The atmosphere and support of family and friends makes the day absolutely unforgettable,” Ed said.
“I keep explaining to the others that the atmosphere, energy and excitement make you forget about the actual effort you are putting in, and the time just flies.”
The Clarke family connection to Geelong is strong, as Denise, John’s wife, has family from the city and many of them are still living in the area.
“I, dad, and Ed all grew up in Melbourne, so it is a great opportunity to return home, and make it a larger family event and a weekend of festivities,” Will said.
And as is often the case, father and sons would not have been able to make it to the start line without the support of wife and mother Denise.
“Mum deserves a mention given the great support she has provided in getting this organised and supporting the family,” he said.
“She certainly enjoyed pushing dad off the couch and into the pool.”
And while John is looking forward to the day, he’s also looking forward to finishing the swim and then relaxing as his two boys complete the final two legs of the race.
“Doing the swim allows him to have a few of his preferred local Geelong Brown Magpie wines while the rest of us slog it out — his real prize given the self-imposed post-NYE drinking ban,” Will said.
Race day on Sunday will also include more than 1400 age group athletes chasing their own personal bests.
On Saturday road closures and traffic restrictions will be in place along The Esplanade, Western Beach Rd and Eastern Beach Rd, between Glenleith Ave and Bellerine St between 7.30am to 11am while Ritchie Bvld will be closed from 5.30am to 11am.