WOW, what a weekend of sport for the Sunshine Coast – of course led by the Noosa triathlon, with two great stories coming out of it.
No, it’s got nothing to do with the boring over-used how much money was injected in the economy, nor was it how many races 82-year-old Markus Hanley has done.
First up was the induction of Emma Snowsill and Steve Monegetti into the Walk of Fame.
As I wrote last week, Emma in my opinion is what this event is all about, this race is the stepping-stone to greatness.
It was 2003 when this virtually unknown crossed the line for the first of many great wins that would roll out for her over the next nine years.
Her mum and dad were standing on the roadside, hadn’t made the VIP criteria at that stage.
I went searching for them to have a chat on the microphone as I knew they would be over the moon with their daughter’s win.
Hugs, tears you name it, both parents just ecstatic to see the current Sydney Youth Olympics winner beat some of her idols for the first time.
As they say the rest is history, but allow me to remind you: World champion, Commonwealth Games gold medalist and of course 2008 Olympic champion.
The induction really means a lot to the now Noosa resident, she led the way for her country in helping break the duck at the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games.
Becoming the first and only Aussie Olympic gold medalist, the Walk Plaque will sit proudly alongside that medal in her cabinet.
For marathon man Steve Monegetti, the honour adds to a colossal smorgasbord of achievements but knowing Steve, it too will sit proudly in his home.
The Victorian was first brought to Noosa to help lift the profile and encourage everyday people to have a go.
Like Emma, Steve has done it all – world championships, four Commonwealth and four Olympic Games medals, City to Surf wins, run in most distance events across the country.
But more than that, he is a great bloke who loves helping others and thoroughly deserves his entry into the ever growing Walk of Fame.
The second story, and maybe the best news I’ve heard for 20 years, is that next year’s swim leg could be held on the main beach.
Now that’s news, and a move I fully support as I believe it will elevate this event into the top of the world stage.
The event has out grown the canal swim leg and the move to the beach is simply the way to go for the future.
The idea was first propped up years ago when Friday’s Eyeline swim started to grow but logistics just weren’t right, but they are now, I only hope that the organisers ask me back to host that leg in 2015.
Congratulations to Mooloolaba’s Josh Minogue for winning last week’s Coolangatta Gold, he joins other local winners Michael King, Reece Drury and Darren Mercer in their exclusive winners’ list.
Until next time.