This past weekend over 1500 athletes and spectators descended on Tomakin for the Capital Coast Triathlon Festival. 2018 was the first time the event has been based out of Tomakin with the previous 7 years being held at Batemans Bay.
The Tomakin course and location proved to be overwhelmingly popular with the athletes, siting that the new “flat and fast course” was a positive change away from the hills of the previous course. The marketing manager of Elite Energy, Seb Gallery, who competed in the Ultimate distance made note that “the crystal clear swim at Tomakin Beach and down the Tomaga River is my new favourite swim course. Competing at events around the world means that I get to see a number of event locations and the downstream swim in particular left me really impressed”
With the event hub based on the riverside lawns of the Tomakin Sports and Social Club it provided to be the perfect family friendly event location, hosting an array of activities for kids and a fantastic range of entertainment for spectators as they watched their loved ones cross the finish line from the comfort of the clubs beer garden.
CEO of Elite Energy Mark Emerton to The Beagle “It was fantastic to have the town of Tomakin embrace our event with such affinity. We absolutely love this part of the world and the initial feedback from our athletes has been nothing but positive. Based on this initial feedback I believe that this new course has great potential to be one of our more popular event locations on the calendar”. .
Whilst in the area athletes were to be found dining at local cafes and filling accommodation facilities. “Everything about this small coastal town has the perfect ingredients for a great place to holiday and do a little triathlon. 'Yesterday we did a triathlon, partied at the Club after and now we’re enjoying a quiet breakfast at a great cafe” said Zoe Pedashenko at the Rivermouth Café on Sunday morning.
Nowra Based Elite Energy are well known in sports participation circles managing 29 events annually. “Without the assistance of volunteer groups these community based events are not feasible” said Volunteer Manager Jodie Mclaren. “Through our volunteer program we donate back to community in lieu of the hours they work at our events”. This weekend saw Elite Energy donate over $3000 dollars including a significant donation to Rally for Recovery. Whilst the action was taking place on the Gold Coast in the Commonwealth Games another hotly contested triathlon was taking place on the flat straights of George Bass Drive at Tomakin. The main event of the day was never in doubt for Cam Dinnie (North Curl Curl) who won the Men’s Ultimate event, whilst it was Monique De Abreu (Wollongong) who proved too strong for the field in the Women’s race. “It is fantastic to have such positive support from the Eurobodalla shire and the people of Tomakin and surrounding areas, without their valued support events like this simply is not possible. So on behalf of Elite Energy and our Athletes, thank you to our wonderful local area communities” said Seb Gallery.
Photos: Tracey Emerton
