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Paint The Town Red
Memories are a fickle thing. One can barely remember what one had for breakfast let alone what actually happened at the annual SAUK Triathlon End of Year Party. Isn’t that why we have the paparazzi, gossip columnists and digital cameras?
Not knowing the location of the party venue massaged the suspense like nothing on earth. When the red London bus arrived to collect the guests, we knew we were in for a legendary evening. And legendary it was. Fiery red creatures fuelled by youth and invincibility scurried their way up the bus stairs. Cheerleaders, rednecks, Satan, ginger-haired super heroes and that-girl-with-the-red-dress passed around the parcel and the apple sours. Triathletes are interesting creatures. For 99% of the year their bodies are temples, for the remaining 1% they make up for the slanted imbalance of their monk lifestyles.
Bryan Wakefield and the outgoing 2007 committee kick-started the party with a warm reception held in the private rooms of the Artesian Well. Awards were handed out to:
| Categories
| Winners
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| Best Olympic Male |
Bryan Wakefield |
| Best Olympic Female |
Karen Axelsdottir |
| Most Improved Male |
Howard Houlston |
| Most Improved Female |
Hannah Miller |
| Best Newcomer Male |
Ian Royle |
| Best Newcomer Female |
Lisa Hattingh |
| Long Distance Male (fastest) |
Bryan Turner |
| Long Distance Male (highly commended) |
Dav Lombard |
| Long Distance Female |
Gill Edmondson |
| Hardcore “Going Nuts” Award Female |
Ally Coates |
| Hardcore “Going Nuts” Award Male |
Julian Crabtree |
| Best Supporter Award |
Kerry Pryde |
| Hugest Wipeout Award |
Marco Stichini |
| Most Porno Outfit Award |
Dave Whittingham-Jones |
Captain Jones, one of the other original founders of the club, was then invited to introduce himself and give a brief history of the young club’s growth. Being one of the original founders and winner of the most porno outfit award, Dave was a popular choice to take the club forward in 2008. Supported by an award winning committee of Hulk Houston, Hard Core Ally, the passionate Prydo, Satan Stichini and Oliver “Extreme” Excell, 2008 seems likely to be one crazy eventful year.
Before the party had finished and prior to all the confusion with the sexuality of the rednecks (Tim Palmer & Richard Meinesz) in their string vests being resolved, the “Paint the Town Red” party people sure lived up to the meaning of the phrase (To engage in a riotous spree / to celebrate boisterously)
Aside from our English and South African award recipients, it was watching the Kanuk Ian Royle (sub 3 hour marathon), the Icelandic Karen Axelsdottir (3rd at World Champs) and the Irish Gill Edmondson receive awards that brought to mind a wonderful expression: Only when all who surround you are different will you truly belong.
Thanks to all SAUK’s feisty supporters and unstoppable athletes. Here’s to a happy Christmas and safe and successful 2008.
There is some photographic evidence of various shenanigans which you can find here and here.
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