Media Release - Remembering Luke Ten Years On

The Southport Broadwater Parkland will play host to over 2000 triathletes at the Gold Coast Triathlon – Luke Harrop Memorial, on Sunday 22 April, which also doubles as the grand final of the Gatorade Queensland Tri Series.

The 2012 event marks the 10th anniversary of Luke’s passing and pays tribute to his zest for life and the race that Luke loved so much.

Returning to take part in her brothers’ race once again, Olympic silver medallist Loretta Harrop will compete in the open women’s field.

"Ten years ago I won the first ever Luke Harrop Memorial race with absolute raw emotions. This year being the 10 th anniversary I am racing the open event again but with a happy heart and wonderful memories of my younger brother.

“Life is very different to what it was when I was an elite triathlete.  The one race a year that I do compete in is the Luke Harrop Memorial, which obviously is quite dear to me,” said Harrop.

Many of Luke’s best mates will be toeing the line in the Mates Wave to remember him, two of his best friends former world champion Chris Hill and Nino Calabro.

The Gatorade Queensland Tri Series winners will be announced at the Gold Coast Triathlon presentations.  Competitors that have competed in a minimum of four races have accumulated points throughout the season based on their placings.

In the open women’s race the standings are being topped by a duo from the Sunshine Coast, Annelise Jefferies and Chloe Turner.

Jefferies will be aiming for a top result in next week’s event and is currently sitting as the Gatorade Queensland Tri Series leader.

Turner finished the recent Northside Party Hire ITU Mooloolaba Oceania Cup third on the podium and also took out second place at Race 6 of the Gatorade Queensland Tri Series at Raby Bay, will be eager to challenge Jeffries and snare a podium place on the day.

Brisbane’s Maddison Allen with such a strong bike/run combination will prove tough competition in the open field.

In the men’s field Kenmore Hill’s Ryan Fisher and Carina’s Dylan Holdsworth’s will be the ones to watch.

Fisher currently leads the Luke Harrop Bursary point score and a win this weekend would see him secure the daily double and walk away $2500 better off. The Luke Harrop Memorial Bursary offers $1000 to each male and female Under 23 athlete for the race win and a bonus $1500 for the series winner. The three races in the series were Luke’s favourite – Mooloolaba, Noosa and Gold Coast.

Holdsworth, who is also currently leading the Gatorade QLD Tri Series, will be looking to cross the line with honours.
To commemorate the 10th anniversary of Luke’s passing, the Harrop family has very generously donated a cash prize of $100 to first place in each individual age category of the Sprint Distance race. It is also another reason to get involved in this wonderful event that has honoured Luke since 2002.

"I can hope to be somewhere around the front in the swim and from there it will be quite a rapid decline! But that's ok , I am keen to meet some of the young guns as they race past me, after all there is the Luke Harrop bursary grand prize up for grabs.
 
"My family is really looking forward to the day so I am glad I can race and be a part of honouring Luke. We really feel the support from everyone from USM EVENTS, Luke's old friends and of course the triathlon community,” added Harrop.

While Luke was an elite athlete one of his great passions was age group competitors who he had a great affiliation with and heavily invested his time into helping. He just loved being amongst it all and why the Gold Coast Triathlon – Luke Harrop Memorial is such a fitting legacy to him.
 
"To celebrate Luke's life at this years’ 10th Anniversary of the Luke Harrop Memorial race, we as a family wanted to find a way to thank all the supporters who embark upon this day. Luke was a very generous soul by nature and loved to help and be involved with age group triathletes whenever he got the opportunity, he also loved to spend money! So that's what we are doing.

“The first male and female finishers in each individual age category will earn themselves $100 cash.
Luke would love that,” said Russell, Rebecca and Loretta Harrop.

There is an increasing number of Para Triathletes competing in events now that we are now catering for as athletes aim for the Paralympics in 2016 which will be held in Rio de Janiero. This will be in the first time that Triathlon will be included in the Paralympics Program.

Para athletes:
Darron Shields, 43 years if age, Wurtulla, QLD

Commonwealth Games silver medalist and Gold Coast local Miles Stewart will be cheering his children on in the Kool Kids Tri on Sunday Morning:
Ethan Stewart, 9 years old, Palm Beach
Imogen Stewart, 6 years old, Palm Beach

The Kool Kids Tri gives participants an opportunity to swim, cycle and run for fun. It doesn’t matter how good they are at sport, it gives them the chance to challenge themselves, get healthy and active and boost their self esteem.

The Gatorade Queensland Tri Series has 12,000 competitors take part across the summer. The Gold Coast accounts for 5000 of these competitors with three of the series events held there, two at Robina and the grand final at Southport next weekend.

The event kicks off on Saturday 21 May with athlete registration, Gatorade Tri Clinics and Expo to explore.
Loretta Harrop will be hosting a Tri clinic at 2pm on Saturday 21 April targeted especially towards the first timers and Kool Kids!

Racing gets underway on Sunday from 6.45am with the Elites and the Mates Wave starting at 7.30am. Presentations will get underway at approximately 11.45am.

Race 7 Distances:
QTS Triathlon    750m swim / 20km cycle / 5km run
Fire & Rescue Recruiting QLD Enticer Tri  300m swim / 10km cycle / 2.5km run
Kool Kids Tri   100m swim / 2km cycle / 400m run