Timmy's 3 T (Topics, Tales & Trash): HuRTS Presentation 2013 Wrap Up

Well the year seems to have flown by and it was time to gather all the team for the annual HuRTS presentation. Was it really 12 months back that the chairman was carried out of the pub in disgrace and given a 6 month ban by the Harbour Bridge Hotel and had passport stamped 'Never to Return'?
The Tilbury Hotel was the venue for this years hosting as I rolled up to find a massive crowd on show, Had a good few beers chatting away to many and it was great to catch up with HuRTS #1 Tucks again for the first time in 12 months as well as giving Slim Sammy Agnew a little abuse for his Palace Boys. Pleased to report that there was no repeat performance from the Chairman Tommy H and he managed to get the awards under way without slurring his words unlike last year.
First up is the prestigious Male Performer of the Year and no surprises with this one with the highly respected and fine runner (not to mention fine Home Brewer) Tony Fats collecting thanks to his 6ft win back in March. A nicer bloke you couldn't meet and his speech was top notch, nearly brought me to tears at one point as he thanked his training partners.
In the female division it was a walk in the park for Lady Laura James after her outright victory in the Half recently, and then recording a fine 2.47 marathon in Melbourne.
The Most Improved was next up and this was a lot tougher to pick this year Ben O' Brien had a good year, as well as Warrior Charlie and I thought that James 'Kenny' Everett would get it but was then surprised (although still well deserved) when young Eleanor Goldricks name was announced, With all the big money splurged at the bookies on a Young Timmy taking out the 'Serg' Under Achiever award all eyes seemed to looking in my direction when Tom was reading out nominations and in what I still consider a carve up I was thought to be more worthy then a 3.56 Marathoner in Charlie Low or even an Angry Kiwi who has done bugger all but fall of his bike on countless occasions.
The Leech took out Tri Guy for the year with his 9.04 Roth time in the Ironman, Tucks never seems to go home empty handed and despite a 40 minute sleep IN a race it was still good enough to win the Ultra Cup. Tommy H finally broke his duck when he scooped the 'Spirit Award' for all his hard work throughout the year although Mikey I think had his eyes set on that one again.
We also had another trophy to hand out and although not recognized by the chairman it should be added on the list for next year. The HURTS Hasselhoff Swimming Award was held for the first year and the inaugural winner was the man who brings it all together for us and made us that much faster.....Coach Pete Walker.
So the full winners list looked something like this;

Male Performance of Year: Tony Fattorini
Female Performance of Year: Laura James
Most Improved: Eleanor Goldrick
The "Serg" Award: Tim Lindop
HuRTS Spirit Award: Tom Highnam
Ultra Runner of Year: Andrew Tuckey...
Triathlete of Year: Eoin Reville
Swimmer of the Year - Pete Walker

The beers flowed a plenty once the formals were all out the way and poor Tucks bottle of Johnny Walker never left the place as it was opened and drank by all the winners out of there respective cups, and some 10 minutes later a empty bottle was all that was left.

Things started to go downhill after that but I do remember heading over to favourite 'Harry's Cafe' for the traditional Pie n Mash supper and finding half the team over there with the Italian Pizza Loving Durante first in the line already going back for seconds.

As always a top night had and great to see everyone out enjoying the night and coming together, I think we have one more social before the end of the year with the J.P Morgan coming up in a fortnight. Let’s hope Enda gets that tent ready for us all post race :)

A few photos from all the winners last night