With venue prepared, not a billiard ball in sight, pool table stored away, Enda boycotting (after his non nomination for POTY) and Tom’s taxi pre booked for 9.45pm the scene was set for HuRTS presentation 2014. Massive turnout (biggest ever) descended on the Tilbury hotel with the girls dazzling on the ‘Red Carpet, whilst the Chairman and Fats continue to appear in the best tablecloth that doubles up as a shirt? Unfortunately Mikey doesn’t seem to be able to pull of his ‘MC Hammer look with his custom baggy pants attire. Whilst Pommy Paulie Birch looked like a ‘Burtons Dummy’ after spending yet another 185 quid at the hairdressers.
Quality night and Tom outdid himself this year in that he was able to string two sentences together throughout the presentation (something he was unable to do for the past 2 years), Lucky enough to get Australia’s #1 10k runner Benny St Lawrence to hand out the awards, with the first one of the night heading to Pete Walker who seems to have a mortgage on the Triathlon title. Constantly cleans up in his age group and is always at the pointy end of races across the 3 disciplines.
Next up was the Spirit Award and I was delighted (and surprised to be honest) to collect here, It could have easily gone to Mikey or Tom who do loads of great work, but we shouldn’t forget the likes of Charlie and Greg who do more than enough behind the scenes to ensure the web site is kept up to date. Told Mikey he only needs to spend $2.49 on a few cones and he could get the vote back next year J
The Under Achiever Award has more stigma attached to it then the Performer of the Year I reckon, and despite loads of lobbying from Enda and 10 minute sleep in a recent race it still wasn’t enough to get him over the line and Mikey was left reluctantly to step up and collect the prestigious ‘Serg’ title for a record 3rd time.
Tucks took out his customary Walkathon/ Ultra title and as a bonus we chucked in a ‘Travel Pillow’ for him to use on his next venture when he decides he needs a little ‘shut eye’. His Johnnie Walker bottle was soon shared around throughout the night as well by all.
For the Most Improved title it was the females who took it out again for the 2nd year straight, Renee Simon had a great past 12 months with PBs across the board and I was delighted to see her efforts recognized. A nicer person you wouldn’t meet, and I love the fact that she is still the fastest person in her and ‘Kenny’s relationship J
I thought the girls had a great year, and for the Female Performance of the Year we were to have a changing of the guard – step up to the plate Erika Ekland and thanks to her stunning 2.58 Melbourne Marathon effort it was to give her the top billing. Although her times in the half’s weren’t half bad either.
I like to think us Eastern Suburbs helped somewhere in her performance although I don’t think the North Shore boys will agree?
The big one of the night went to Quentin for his City to Surf run back in August, doesn’t get better than that and it really was a cracker, he’s been very strong over the year has ‘Q’ and always keeps Barts, Tom and C.T on their toes and you have to be at your best to get a win anytime over our adopted American friend?
Once all the runners were done it was time for the Swimmers to have their moment, and if we had ‘Star Man’ Benny St to hand out the trophies for that part , we then got “Swims like a Brick’ Tuckey to do the honours for the water boys and girls.
Time Trial Award (and no surprise ) went to Champ. Pete Walker took Swimmer of the Year, I was lucky enough to collect another Participation/ Spirit Award and Sonya Van Beek’s impressive improvement was rewarded with the ‘Rising Duck’ ‘Newcomer with a lot of Potential’ Award.
The night was about to get into full swing once all the awards were done and dusted with Tucks ‘Walker’ bottle lasting about 10 minutes. The Pests (Durante & Wildman) were just starting to fire up and Kanser was in fine form telling all about his many races he has coming up and that 2015 ‘will be HIS year’
With the Chairman still with us (awake at least) it was over to ‘Harry’s Café for the one final showdown for the evening between the Champ ‘Italian Stallion Durante and challenger Pommy Paulie Birch for the Hot Dog/Pie eating event. Well to be honest it was a letdown as the Englishman was NO match and went down without as much as a whimper. With Durante demolishing about 3 as a warm up. The NEW challenger next year could well be Barts who seemed to be putting them away with ease.
More photos to come tomorrow
Brilliant night and congrats to all that attended.
Cheers
No comments:
Post a Comment