Organisers pumped for great Australia Day Aquathon
January 24, 2008
Section: Sport
JOEL RITCHIE
ORGANISERS are pumped for one of the biggest Australia Day Illawarra Aquathons on record this Saturday.
More than 800 athletes of all ages and abilities are expected to flock to Wollongong Harbour for the event.
This year there will be three distances to choose from – the Kidz mini (200m swim, 2km run), short course (400m swim, 3km run) and the long course (800m swim, 7km run).
The Kidz mini course is open to children under 12, while the short and long courses are open to children from 12 years to veterans.
There are teams categories for juniors, opens, masters, corporate, and parent and child teams.
Entry for the Kidz mini course is $24 for individual athletes and $30 for teams. Adults are charged $30 or $36 depending on whether they run the short or long course, while team entry is $42.
“The long course is the most popular, we have more than 200 entrants confirmed already,” event director Rob Battocchio said.
“Around 40 per cent of participants do the long course; some people who have done the short course in the past decide to make the step up.”
Entries for the corporate and tag team divisions are also going strong, Mr Battocchio said.
To enter, visit www.ada.kemblajoggers.org.au and follow the links for online entry or download the entry form.
Late entries will also be accepted on the day at Wollongong Harbour from 6.30am to 8.30am.
The event is for athletes of all ages and abilities, Mr Battocchio said.
“We have had entries from the USA, Mexico, South Australia, the ACT and regional NSW – plus a huge local contingent,” he said.
A number of well-known athletes and personalities will also be taking part in the event, including ironman Jonathon Crowe, Commonwealth Games representive Trudy Barnes and Matilda player Amy Taylor.