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Longest-running triathlon in the region to honour Mike Collingwood
Ottawa, Ontario, June 25, 2007 -- On Saturday, July 7, the Meech Lake Triathlon will celebrate its 25th anniversary. For one of the most popular and longest-running triathlons in the Ottawa area, it will be a date that’s easy to remember: 07/07/07.
Yet it will be different this year. Mike Collingwood, the hardest working volunteer in Ottawa’s sporting community who has been with the race since it started, won’t be running the show. He passed away just before Christmas. So instead, the race will be held in his honour, with all competitors wearing a commemorative swim cap with Mike’s name on it
For the past two and half decades, the popular event has drawn hundreds of local area triathletes interested in racing either the individual (1.2k swim/22k bike and 7k run) or the team event.
Julia Aimers, who has taken over the role as race director said Mike called her the week before he died and said how much he wanted to make the race special this year to celebrate its 25 years. She and Marc Roy, owner of Sportstats who has stepped up as major sponsor and co-race director, have been overwhelmed by the show of support from athletes who wanted to honour the man who gave so much to the sport.
“We’ve had so many triathletes come forward and offer to help out at the event because of what Mike did for the Ottawa region triathlon community,” said Roy. “We may be the first race ever to have as many people volunteering as racing.”
You can register on-line right up until race day at: www.meechlaketri.ca.
The race starts at Blanchette Beach in the Gatineau Park at 8:30.
For more information, please contact Julia Aimers at 613 482-4431 (h) or613 298-8837(m) or Lynne Bermel at (613) 688-4897.
Mike Collingwood at the Gatineau OAC Triathlon
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