Newport surf life saving president Glen Borg inspired by ironman son Jackson to race Gold
A Newport father has been inspired by his son to compete in the upcoming Coolangatta Gold, a race made famous by a movie of the same name.
Manly
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Ignorance might be bliss for some when it comes to racing the iconic surf life saving event, the Coolangatta Gold, but not to Glen Borg.
Not only does the 53-year-old remember the movie which inspired the race back in the 1980s, he has helped and handled for son Jackson in previous events on the Gold Coast.
It’s part of the reason the Newport Surf Club president has decided to test himself in one of his sports toughest events.
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While son Jackson, who recently qualified for the Nutri-Grain series, will test himself across the 41.8km distance, Borg has decided to start off by racing the 21km half distance.
“It is the challenge that is attractive,’’ Borg said.
“As a young kid I saw the movie and that was an inspiration in itself.
“I’ve been safety paddler when Jackson has done the course and supported him in his last race when he was fourth.
“Just watching him do the race and the challenge it was for him was the inspiration for me.”
I though it was one of those bucket list things to have a crack at and made the decision to do it earlier this year
Borg admits the race has long been on his to do list and has been training all year for the event on the weekend of October 12-13.
Last year more than 800 competitors did the swim ski, board and run race with Newport life saver Georgia Miller, now based in Queensland at the powerful Northcliffe club, winning her maiden crown and Ali Day, from the NSW south coast, racing off with a record-breaking sixth title.
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This year marks the 19th edition of the race born back in 1984 and won for the first two years by a teenage Guy Leech.
Divisions this year include elite male and female, under 19s through to over 50s as well as mixed teams.
“I though it was one of those bucket list things to have a crack at and made the decision to do it earlier this year,’’ he said.
“I started to ramp up the training a bit because I wanted to do a bit better at the NSW and Aussies in the masters and I had some improvement.
“I had a third in ironman in my age and a ninth at Aussies and that gave me the confidence to have a crack.’’
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Borg said he remembers the 1984 film where two brothers battle for supremacy and starred Joss Williams and Colin Friels.
Grant Kenny was also in the movie.
“I actually competed against Grant Kenny two years ago. I think we book ended the race - he came first and I came last in the race.’’