With the 2019-20 triathlon season coming to an end earlier than expected, we wanted to take a moment to reflect on some of the great events and initiates clubs have run over the season.
The social side of triathlon is just one aspect that makes our sport unique and the Echuca Moama Triathlon Club has relished in the opportunity to implement a range of social initiatives that enhance not only their events but also the member experience.
With the club events kicking off in spring and culminating at the end of summer, the EMTC have been actively holding a fun and social club event each Wednesday evening.
“The fabric of the event is a timed handicap race for all members, offering both a small safe off-road course for our juniors and a 300m river swim, 12.5 km ride and 2.5 km run course for the adults” explains EMTC President Steve Loader.
The reason behind the handicap is to attempt to get all the participants to finish as close together as possible but also to allow members to get to know who is around them and how they are travelling fitness-wise” Loader adds.
Using the results from each week’s race, the club created a points-based system to monitor members performance and declare an ‘overall splash and dash winner’ at the end of the season.
“The top-10 leader board is periodically placed up across the season to keep interest, but the points total are not shown, so no one really knows how far ahead or behind they are. It creates great banter within the group.”
Another one of the successful initiatives EMTC have created off the back of their weekly club race; is a two-person team event, pairing up members from different handicaps to compete together.
“The beauty of this event is that it is very social, lots of banter in the transition area as compliments and barbs fly back and forwards within the group,”
“Being in a team you don’t want to let your teammate down, so there is a little more urgency to athlete input. Also, in the back of your mind, you know you get a nice rest in between each leg so people pushed themselves harder.”
The EMTC, have found adding in a few pizza nights after the weekly race and themed nights have only added to the social aspect and culture of the club.
“The last event before Christmas is always a fun night with a bbq or pizza night put on by the club, with everyone winding down for a couple of weeks.”
The EMTC is located in the beautiful Murray River region in country Victoria and only a two and a half-hour drive from Melbourne. To learn more about the club and their upcoming events, please visit their website or give them a follow-on Facebook.
