2 minute read
TREEATHLON
Nicki Taws
Graham Turner and Julia Minty have become Australia's first ‘Treeathlon’ Champions! So, what is a Treeathlon, you may ask? As the name suggests, it is similar to a triathlon except that the swimming leg is replaced with tree planting. The event was jointly organised by Orienteering ACT, Greening Australia and ACT Forests at Pierces Creek Forest, 20 km west of Canberra. This area was used in 1994 for the Australian 3-Days Orienteering Carnival, and was regularly used for local club events and training. The entire area was totally destroyed by the bushfires of January 2003, so ACT Forests and Greening Australia have been collaborating on a number of projects to re-establish native trees along the streamlines. Member of Legislative Assembly, Bill Stefaniak, fired the gun and the 37 competitors started by riding 1.5 km along fire trails, followed by a 3.2 km run to the tree-planting area. They then had to dig holes and plant 50 trees through an area 1 km long. The tree planting was very tough physical work, and took most competitors between 50 and 80 minutes. The final leg was a 4.3 km ride around the Sugarloaf, a spectacular, fire-scarred hill in the middle of the area. Graham Turner ploughed his way to the lead on the tree planting leg, after a backbreaking effort planting his 50 trees in only 46 minutes. In the women’s division, Julia Minty also dug her way to the lead on the tree planting leg, and then kept in front despite having no bike and being forced to run both the cycling legs. The event was considered to be a very tough challenge, and there were quite a few sore backs and blistered hands to show for it. Nearly 2,000 trees and shrubs were planted by the competitors, helping restore one of Canberra’s favourite orienteering areas. In total about 60 orienteers donated their time to this great event. Above: Kevin Paine starting the ride-run-plant, Treeathlon. Left: Julia Minty and Graham Turner first Treeathlon Gold Medallists. Below: Rob Walter busy planting his 50 trees. Photos: Bob Mouatt
O-Snap!
“Oh, what a feeling…” Brian Austin, WOW club, enjoying the 2004 WA club relays. Photo: Judy Hill
Give your event a BOOST !
Event advertisements in The Australian Orienteer go direct to the homes of registered orienteers in all states of Australia and give a widespread boost to perception of your event . The special advertising rates are modest and would be covered by just a few extra entries . Mike Hubbert, Editor and Advertising PO Box 165, Warrandyte, Victoria 3113 mikehubbert@ozemail.com.au Phone/fax (03) 9844 4878
