Like they do every month, Maitland Triathlon Club met at Maitland Park yesterday but the day was hardly about the result.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Moving For Mel day doubled as a fund-raiser for homegrown athlete Melanie Sexton, who underwent a bone marrow transplant at Westmead Hospital as part of a five-month battle with leukaemia.
Despite oppressive conditions and forecasted temperatures well into the high 30s the turnout, as expected, was significant.
“It was so good to see so many people turn out and give a little bit of their time and support,” Mel’s older brother Brendan, who competed at the 2012 London Olympics, said. “It’s amazing to have that real community spirit that the tri club has always been about, and the value of friends and family above the competition itself was always a big thing for this club.
“If it was anyone else, everyone in the club would do the same, and it was a nice feeling to have.”
Following the race, which began at 7am, fund-raising activities – including a barbecue, live music and raffles – took place throughout the morning.
Mr Logan praised the efforts of clubs from throughout the Hunter that had attend the fund-raiser, and said Mel had earlier described the support as overwhelming.
Both Mel and Brendan were foundation members of the club when it was formed 15 years ago, and despite moving away from the Hunter in recent years the Louth Park family still have strong ties to the club.
Once released from hospital Mel will stay in Sydney with parents Chris and Shannon, but the 2005 Maitland Junior Sportsperson of the Year has vowed to return and once again compete.
“She’s received a lot of support verbally over the last few months, and when I spoke to her [on Saturday] she said the one thing she’d like to do is come back to Maitland, do a club race and just thank everyone for their support,” he said.
Money raised from yesterday will go towards assisting the Sexton family and the Leukaemia Foundation.