15.11.2007

Deakes set for Ron Clarke

T.E.A.M (Troop Events and Management) is pleased to announce that world record holder and world champion Nathan Deakes will be flying in from Italy to make a special guest appearance at the 2007 Wheelers Investment Advisors Ron Clarke Classic Business and Sportsman’s Luncheon, to be held on Friday, November 30 at the Mercure Hotel, Geelong from 12.30pm.

It was 12 months ago that race walker Nathan Deakes became the first Australian man in almost 40 years to claim an official track and field word record, slashing 16 seconds off the 50km mark in his home town of Geelong.

The local Bellarine Athletics Club athlete was two-and-a-half minutes inside world record pace at the 40km mark of the national championship race and, despite tiring in the closing stages, was able to hold on and set a new world record time of 3 hours 35 minutes and 47 seconds.

The previous world record of 3:36:03 was set by Polish race walking legend Robert Korzeniowski in 2003.
Since Nathan’s world record in December 2006, he went on to win the recent World Championships in the 50km event in August at Osaka, Japan cementing himself as the number one race walker in the world which puts him in great shape leading into next year’s Beijing Olympics.

This will be the first appearance by Nathan back in Australia since Osaka and you are invited to this special event which will also double as a press conference.

Tickets are $800 for a table of 10 or $90 for a single ticket and include a two course meal and drinks. Tickets are available online at www.ronclarkeclassic.com.au and so far 150 tickets have been sold with only 100 available but get in quick as they are selling fast.

At 2.30pm a press conference will be available for all media which will include Nathan and the following guests:

➢ Steve Moneghetti (event patron)
Steve or 'Mona', as he is known, is a four-time Olympic marathoner. Mona broke the veterans world record at the inaugural Ron Clarke Classic in 2005.

➢    Danny Corcoran
Danny is the current CEO of Athletics Australia. Danny has come from a footballing background and will provide valuable insight into the sport currently and where it will be in the future.

➢    Bronwyn Thompson (long jumper)
Bronwyn is the 2006 Commonwealth Games long jump gold medallist, was the 2007 World Championships co-captain and is Beijing bound.

➢    Scott Martin (shot put/discus)
Scott is the 2006 Commonwealth Games discus gold medallist, shot put bronze medallist, 2007 World Championships co-captain and is famed with the NAB television commercials as a ballet dancer.

➢    Georgie Clarke (middle distance)
Georgie is a Sydney 2000 Olympian and a local Geelong identity. She has suffered chronic injuries over the last few years but now has herself back to peak form and is eyeing off the Beijing Olympics.

Unfortunately, Ron Clarke has had to cancel and cannot attend the luncheon or meet due to work commitments. Ron is currently the mayor of the Gold Coast and council elections are coming up early in the New Year.

For all media wishing to attend and for further information, please call T.E.A.M 0412 218780 OR email Lee Troop here