An Irishman's
View:
WOW......What a weekend. It surpassed my wildest expectations.
Just to be a part of something this special is something that will
long in my memory. In summary though I would like to say the
following.
Steve and Eddie
Words almost fail me. I have never participated in an event where
I felt the RD s' made me the centre of their attention EVERY TIME
I SAW THEM. Eddie many many thanks for all the encouragement,
Steve I am truly indebted to you for the many many times you came
to me, encouraged me and even managed to sing Gerry, Gerry, Gerry
(to the air of the Jerry Springer theme tune at the woods turnaround
point on the run) I will never forget what you guys gave me this
weekend.
Serious gratitude to you both !
Support Crew
Dor, Enda, Doug, Jarlath and Ken. Unbelievably grateful to you
guys. All of your names are mentally engraved on my medal. You
were quite simply superb. Many many many many thanks. (Dont worry
guys much longer mention in my race report)
Pink Sally
It is people like you that makes such events so special. What a
lady. I had one terrible low point after lap 13. There I was after
it, stretched out on the bench in the athletes area and PS came
over and gave me the most wonderful words of encouragement. Here
is a compete stranger to me coming over and giving me her time
despite the fact that she is there to support someone who I now
know is a legend in the Endurance World (RG) Perhaps she did not
realise at the time just what her efforts did to me (ok the red
bull helped too) but seriously the timing was perfect. Many Thanks
PS
Double or Quits
Until I read your post last night I did not realise that was who
you were. I now have to thank you again as I took great heart from
reading your race report from 2008 4 times in the 2 weeks leading
up to the race. It gave me the confidence to realise I could
potentially finish a race of this magnitude so thanks mate.
Slako and Crew
Unbelievable support from Bjorn and Freda (as I mentally
christened them) I really looked forward twice on each lap to
passing them as I knew a great welcome and cheer would be coming
my way. Am only sorry I did not get a chance to thank you guys
personally
Lady at bike turnaround (for most of sat afternoon)
If anyone knows who this lady is can you please pass on my thanks.
Again I did not get a chance to thank her. I was always greeted
with a lovely smile. Also to all the other crew, stewards and
marshals my serious thanks to you ALL.
Endurance UK
Again it is people like you that make sport participation so
special. It simply could not happen without people like you. Got
word early on bike that my photo was proudly being displayed on
your website so thats buddy. Gave me a great lift.
Supporters at run turnaround
I am speechless that complete strangers would cheer my name for 52
miles of a marathon. You guys know who you are so thanks.
Finally to the man in high yellow viz in middle of nowhere on bike
course most of sat even and also to man in village 3 miles short
of bike turnaround who stood there for 4 hours or so just clapping
on his own I am truly in awe of someone who would do that. (Might
be the same man)
Fellow Athletes
Am priviliged to have participated in the same race as the 53 of
you guys.
Till some other time...
Gerry Duffy - 2009 Double Iron finisher
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Steve and Eddie - Thanks for making
this race special – nothing was too much trouble and the
encouragement you gave each athlete to get them across the finish
line was amazing and well above your race directors role.
Mash 180 - Finisher Double Iron 2009 |
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Race organisers come in two styles
Style 1) Athletes who love the sport, organise a race and want to
make sure that it provides athletes with a fantastic experience.
They will do whatever it takes to make a race like one that they
themselves would love to take part in. They will support athletes
to help them achieve their goals. 3 that spring to mind straight
away for me are: Kenneth Gasque (Mr Lanza IM), Dick Kearn (Mr GUCR)
and Steve and Eddie (Enduroman). Just ask and they will try to
help.
Brian New - 2009 marshal / 2008 Double Iron finisher
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The race organisation was
outstanding. Nothing was too much trouble for Eddie and Steve (who
were offering to drive to shops if you wanted specifics!) and
those guys really cared for each and every athlete. There aren't
many races were the RD's know your name and support you every step
of the way! Steve even had to take his own bike out on the course
for one athlete to be able to complete his final bike loop as he
had major mech probs. Trev was great on the PA. He kept the
athletes spirits up and kept them going back out for each lap.
Mrs Mash 360 - supporter - Double Iron 2009 |
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Dear
Steve and Eddie,
I want to thank you both for putting on such an amazing event last
week-end. As a race organizer myself I know how much work and
commitment it must have taken to put on such an event. The support
and care that you showed all of us was beyond anything I have ever
experienced in a race. I have done a number of Ironman races but
this tops them all. I enjoyed every moment; it is something I will
remember for the rest of my life. It really illustrates what sport
is all about, personal challenge and support from friends and
family. I am now finding it difficult to go back to ‘normal
life’. It will certainly have my vote as race of the year.
I would like to congratulate everyone who took part and all of the
supporters who made it so enjoyable.
Howard Davies - 2008 athlete |
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Hi Steve / Eddie
I would like to thank you and
all the Enduroman crew for putting on a fantastic event at
the weekend and for all the support that Eddie and yourself gave
me during it. Words cannot describe how good it felt to be in
such an event!
I
arrived feeling like a fish out of water and feeling like I had
no right to even be in such an event. Your kind words and advice
really made me feel much better even though I DNF. I left
the event with far more self respect than I arrived with and
this will push me forwards in the sport for years to come.
As others have already said, the Double will become a major
attraction in Triathlon as the word spreads about Enduroman and
this huge success of an event.
Rich Chaplin 2008
athlete
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Steve
/ Eddie
You don't need me to tell you - you know already what a success
the double was at the weekend.
What I would like to say though to yourself and Eddie (and the
rest of
your crew) is - THANK YOU!
Thanks for making such an effort to create a race with a great
challenge, great atmosphere and a true caring side for EVERY
athlete that took part.
I have always liked doing "smaller", more personal type
of races - I loved
the fact that 10 years ago crossing the line in Lanza, Kenneth
Gasque
shook every finishers hand. I love the fact that Dick Kearn, the
organiser
of the Grand Union Canal Race is so approachable and mans the
checkpoints and greets all at the finish.
So - what does the double provide? That exact same feeling where
the
athlete is more important than anything else about the race.
From the pre-race briefing (just ask if you want something!) to
the
constant asking "are you okay", to the cadets support,
the after race
massage (my bloody legs), and the whole way that everybody felt
that they belonged to something special.
Well done and thanks again. I had a great day, my feeding went
right for
the run (struggled a bit on bike after midnight) and my supporters
(son
and his mates) felt that they were made to feel part of the whole
thing as I'm sure everybody supporting did.
This race deserves to be a success. A definite weekend to
remember - you greeted everybody in with true warmth.
You and Eddie lived this race and made EVERYBODY feel special. It was obvious this race
means so much to both of you.
Brian New - 2008
athlete |
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Hi
Steve and Eddie,
I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed the weekend. You are both
fantastic and made me feel so looked after.
Claire Smith 2008 athlete (2nd Place) |
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Steve
and Eddie
First of all thank you so much for the weekend you guys went so
far beyond the norm for a race organiser. It was incredible.
Rob Moorehead-lane 2008 athlete |
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Awesome
Steve, you guys did over an above to get people to the end, an
awesome event with the best organisation possible.
In 2000 I won Ultrafit, Tough Guy, X Zone, Indoor Rowing
and an Adventure race and thought that was the pinnacle. In 2006 I
won 3 half ironmans, won AG at IMUK and went to Hawaii.....I
thought that was it.
But the point is...everything i went through on Sunday eclipsed
the lot. I have never felt so happy with myself and never felt
such a sense of achievement that doing that race brought to me.
The people that mattered to me were there and most importantly, I
know what i went through.
Hywel Davies - Race Winner 2008 |
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Steve
/ Eddie,
Just a personal note to you and your team who were outstanding
over the weekend. I'm still coming to terms with what I've done to
be honest. Kona
was special for many reasons, but this one tops it. (with maybe
the exception of the pom pom girls at Austria!).
Its been a
pleasure meeting you and all the other athletes involved.
Dave Miles - 2008 athlete |
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Congrats
to Steve and Eddie. The whole thing was well organised from start
to finish and it's going to be THE must-do event of the year
amongst Ironman competitors.
Daz Carter - 2008 athlete |
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Tom
W and I were there from about 8pm last night until 6.30am. We were
knackered from just staying up all night never mind the
undertaking of their amazing challenge. WOW, WOW and WOW, truly
inspirational. We were marshalling at the furthest end of the run
laps which were in the woods and pitch black. I feel like everyone
out there were like family members.
Helen T - Marshal 2008 |
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Dear
Steve, Eddie and everybody.....
Well, a week has gone by and I have just about come back to earth!
Last weekend I had the most amazing experience doing DIUK. I
really think you do yourselves an injustice saying "no frills
event". I thought that we were looked after extremely well
and every attention that could be given to us we were given. The
support was amazing, it kept me awake and smiling through pretty
much all of the 36hrs and some minutes.
I loved "almost" every minute of those many, many hours
that I was out there.
My only regret is that I did not get to give a "well
done" hug to all my fellow Double Iron
competitors.....regardless of where your journey's may have
ended....we are all very special and unique individuals.....there
are not many people who believe in themselves enough to push
through such physical and psychological boundaries.
I will definitely be there again next year.....have to talk nicely
to my hip and hopefully it will let me run a bit further than six
miles!!!
Congratulations and thank you.......
Fay Dellismore - 2008 athlete
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Steve
I just wanted to say thanks to you and your team for organising
such a great event. I have to admit that I turned up on the
1st with some trepidation, as I was aware of the
reputation of the other competitors, and I felt I might be
crashing an elite party into which I wouldn't fit. Nothing
could be further from the truth! Of course, I was way down
the field in finishing where I did, but I was made to feel part of
the whole event from the outset. It was great to see
everyone encouraging everybody else, competitors, support crews,
marshals and spectators alike. The event epitomised exactly
why triathlon is such a great sport and why I love it so much, the
camaraderie really appeals to me (as a member of the Armed Forces
you can see why). The performance of the other guys and
girls was inspirational, from the insanely quick front end to the
insanely stubborn at the back; this race had something for
everyone. The sense of achievement in crossing the line was
awesome, made better with my mum, wife, kids and best mate being
there. Thanks for a great 2 days and good luck with next
years race.
Phil McNeill 2008 athlete |
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