BACK IN 2010
Essex County, Ontario (40 minutes from Windsor / Detroit) Proceeds to the Elena Loaring Memorial Fund for Breast Cancer Research
ALL DONATIONS WILL BE DOUBLED BY THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT
BEGINNER TRIATHLON
375m swim / 11k bike / 2.6k run
DOUBLE TRIATHLON
(375m swim / 11k bike / 2.6k run) x 2
Stay tuned for the exact date of the Ninth Edition of the Loaring Triathlon. We promise to offer one of the friendliest, fun-packed triathlons you have experienced. Our race has been regarded
around the local triathlon community as an excellent experience for the beginner
and veteran triathlete alike. Be forewarned now: at the Loaring Triathlon,
"the race doesn't end at the finish line." Are you ready for an event to remember?
RECENT NEWS
Jan-15-2009
The next seven days will see a new album added to the Loaring Triathlon Facebook Group. Pre Race pics, Swim pics, Bike pics, Run pics, Finish pics, and Post Race pics, will be added over the course of the week.
A huge thanks to the talented photographers Shaw, Goodfellow, and Lippert, for capturing the magic of this event.
The 2004, 2006, and 2008 events helped raise over $100 000 for the Elena Loaring Memorial Fund for Breast Cancer Research through the University of Windsor. The five Loaring Triathlons from 1999 to 2003 helped raise many thousands of dollars for the Canadian Cancer Society.
The 9th Loaring Triathlon will be back in the summer of 2010. In the meantime, enjoy some great moments from the 2008 event.
James and Charlotte (co-organizers of the Loaring Tri)
Nov-10-2008 Join the Loaring Triathlon Facebook Group to view the latest news and discussions. Enjoy viewing magic captured moments over the history of the event.
Oct-03-2008 As everyone knows, October is breast cancer awareness month. Click on the image below to read an article about the Loaring Triathlon, in this month's Breast Cancer Issue of Body Magazine
By Lauren O'Neil, Windsor Body Magazine, October 2008
Jul-28-2008 Racing for a Cure Kyle Horner, The Essex Free Press
Published:
July 23, 2008
The forecast last Saturday called for oppressive heat and humidity but that could not extinguish the excitement of the competitors and spectators that turned out for the 8th running of The Loaring Triathlon.
“We wanted to introduce people to the sports we loved,” said Charlotte Loaring, an organizer of the triathlon. “When my own mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003 we started to make our own charity towards breast cancer as a tribute to her because she lost her battle with the disease.”
About 500 participants, spectators and volunteers turned out to watch the race. Funds will be donated locally to the Elena Loaring Memorial Fund for Breast Cancer Research through the University of Windsor.
Proceeds from the memorial fund support scholarships for students of the University of Windsor studying breast cancer research.
The Ontario government doubles all donations received through the triathlon until 2011.
"We’ve raised $87,000 to date and are hoping to get over the $100,000 mark,” Loaring said midway through the day.
Loaring does not compete in the event because she finds herself busy enough with organizing it, but she has competed in many triathlons including the Iron Man race in Brazil.
“My mother was my biggest supporter,” Loaring said. “She loved this event and was part of it for five years.”
The event started with a 375-metre swim in Lake Erie, followed by an 11-kilometre bike ride and finished off with a 2.6-kilometre run.
Experienced triathletes participated in the double event going through the entire course twice.
There was an award ceremony for all the winners in each age category and for overall male and female winners in the beginner and double triathlon.
Once the race was completed, racers were treated to an all-you-can-eat dinner with an Elvis impersonator, and live musical entertainment went on well into the evening.
At the end of the day, organizers reported that they had achieved their overall goal of raising $100,000 for the Elena Loaring Memorial Fund for Breast Cancer Research.
The 8th Elena Loaring Memorial Triathlon event was held on Saturday on the shores of Lake Erie. The event, held now once every two years, represents a unique competition that is very beginner and spectator friendly with its short distances, and unique racing format.
Competitors in the Beginner Triathlon are challenged with an opening leg of swimming that stretches 375 metres in the choppy shores of Lake Erie. They then proceed into the bicycle area and gear up for a second leg of the race that takes them11 kms that starts and ends off of County Road 50. The athletes then complete their journey with a 2.6 kms run.
Co-Race Director Charlotte Loaring confirmed that, “Our goals are to continue to encourage new people to the exploding and popular sport of triathlon, motivate our community members to lead active and healthy lifestyles, and reach our fundraising goal of $100,000. We do this with the amazing help and generosity of over 450 volunteers, spectators, and local sponsors.”
Named in honour of their late mother, the triathlon raised funds for a breast cancer scholarship fund that receives dollar for dollar matching funds from the government.
“Our next event is in 2010 and we will be announcing a new and exciting fundraising cause,” remarked James Loaring, co-race director. “This year’s event was a great success and we reached our goal of raising over $100 000 for the Elena Loaring Memorial Fund for Breast Cancer Research.”
Derek DeBono, Special to The Windsor Star
Published: Thursday, July 24, 2008
The visitor stood near the shore of Lake Erie trying to identify the tree that stood before him when the horn sounded, sending the swimmers into the water.
The swimmers were triathletes, starting the first leg of their three-part journey to the finish line. The tree was a magnolia, planted in memory and celebration of the life of Elena Loaring.
The Loaring triathlon began in 1999 by Charlotte Loaring and her brother James amid the lush surroundings of the family cottage near Colchester. It has evolved into an intimate and charming fundraiser for research into breast cancer, the disease that claimed the life of Elena in 2004.
The charm of the event is in its simplicity. It's a shorter version of the Olympic distance, which makes it achievable for beginners. Experienced triathletes looking for a greater challenge complete the course twice.
The Loaring Triathlon has left the complexities of science behind. It isn't about the mechanics of swimming, personal bests or podium potential. It is anti-elite in its design, yet manages to maintain the professional standards of a top sports event. It takes you back to the spirit of athletics, to a time when a footpath, a lake and a country road provided the perfect sports environment. Swimming, biking and running are natural cross-training sports we have always done for recreation.
It's about first-timers like Joe Fornitron, 14, who slipped out of the transition area and past the magnolia tree as smooth as silk, and about Heather Douglas, who rode the 11-kilometre second leg of the race on a borrowed bike. It is about having fun and being a part of a gesture of love for the sport of triathlon that has grown into a larger gesture of love and support for friends, family and the survivors of cancer.
Athletes, regardless of age, size or ability, develop a strong and rarely seen intimacy even when they don't know each other but when the venue they're competing in has significance. Elena Loaring passed away at the cottage, surrounded by family, her favourite music and magnolia trees. It's that kind of history that awakens one's sense of mortality and rekindles a zest for life.
So they came to compete, some not knowing quite how, in all shapes and sizes with more experienced athletes offering direction and encouragement to the less experienced.
The Loaring cottage is set back from the road and is easy to miss, tucked in behind the long, landscaped front yard. These athletes left their egos at the road and walked the 100 metres to the start line wanting only to have fun and test their ability.
Jul-22-2008 The 2008 Loaring Triathlon was a great success. We have achieved our goal of raising over $100 000 for the Elena Loaring Memorial Fund for Breast Cancer Research.
To Elena Loaring--for being the greatest mom, and a great friend to many--we all salute you.
To the participants--especially those who completed their first triathlon--we salute you.
To the volunteers--who were all incredible in making the event a well-oiled machine--we salute you. Below I have cut and pasted an email that Charlotte sent out to our champion volunteer team.
To the sponsors--for being so gracious in donating product, services, or $$$--we salute you.
Jul-18-2008 Important Parking Info:
Race Day parking on site will be closed between 2pm and 5pm. Vehicles arriving after 2pm will be re-directed by Parking Volunteers and Police to park at John R Park Homestead (located 400meters east of the race site, on County Rd. 50 E.). Double participants must arrive on site no later than 2pm if they would like to park on site. Cars parked on site will not be able to leave until 5pm as double participants will still be biking on the roads. Therefore, beginner participants who are in a rush to leave immediately after their race, should park at John R Park Homestead. Our parking volunteers will be able to answer any question and direct you to where you should park.
Jul-17-2008 A reminder that the 'torso rule' will be in effect. Participants most cover their torso during the bike and run portions of the event. This rule applies for both the Beginner and Double Triathlons. You do not need to cover your torso during the swim portion. However, you most put a shirt/singlet on before leaving the transition area to begin the bike.
Race numbers must be worn during the run portion. Competitors must cross the finish line with their race number on the front of their body. Double participants must wear the race number for both runs. Therefore, it is strongly advised to fasten your race number to a number belt so that you can quickly put it on when you head out on the run course.
The Running Factory has race number belts available for purchase. They will have a booth set-up at the expo before the race. They will also have 'fastskins' for those interested in wearing a material over their torso that is 'fast' in the water--which will also save you time in the transition area.
Jul-16-2008 An enormous amount of food and beverage will be available at the Koolini's Food Tent. Spectators can purchase all-you-can-eat tickets at the event. Volunteers and athletes eat for free. Everybody goes home with a full belly and a big smile.
Jul-16-2008 The King (the one and only Elvis Presely) will perform immediately following awards at approximately 6:30pm. Our local band "Better Than Nuttin" will perform beginning at 7:30pm. This is not a race in which you should be in hurry to leave after you cross the finish line. Plan on staying well into the evening. Participants are encouraged to bring their families and friends to enjoy the race, the Koolini's Food Party, and the post-race live musical entertainment.
Jul-16-2008 Online Registration at 9pm on Thursday, July 17. In-person registration at Loaring Physiotherapy & Health Centre closes at 7pm on Thursday, July 17th. Sorry, we will not accept any registrations after this time. There will not be any race day registration.
Jul-15-2008
Current water temperature is 23.5 degrees Celcius. We anticipate the water temperature to rise to 25 degrees Celcius on race day. As a result of the warm waters and hot air temperatures, wetsuits will not be allowed for both the Beginner and Double Triathlons. It is an OAT rule to not allow the use of wetsuits if the water temperature is above 22 degrees Celcius.
Jul-03-2008
2008 Loaring Triathlon Course Map available here.
Jul-01-2008
Happy Canada Day! The registrations have been pouring in the past couple of days. The early registration discount ends at midnight tonight. Register online today if you would like to take advantage of this early bird fee.
Jun-27-2008 AM800 interviews Char regarding the upcoming Loaring Triathlon:
May-16-2008
Please click the image below to view the 2008 Loaring Triathlon Sponsorship Brochure.
May-15-2008
Click the image below to view/print the 2008 Loaring Triathlon Poster:
Proceeds to the Elena Loaring Memorial Fund for Breast Cancer Research 
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