Grateful: Rebecca Cladingboel with a cheque from the Echuca Community for the Aged.
Photo by
Adair Winder
Echuca triathlete Rebecca Cladingboel is taking on the world and the community has jumped on board as she tackles the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii.
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Cladingboel qualified for the event at the Cairns half-ironman in June and is now jetting halfway across the world to test her limits on October 6 among the world’s best triathletes.
But the 3.8km swim, 180km bike ride and 42.2km run is just one part of the challenge and Echuca community members have chipped in to show their support.
Fundraising efforts from Echuca Community for the Aged covered part of the financial burden of the trip and Cladingboel said it was humbling to receive that support.
“That was unbelievable,” she said.
“(Echuca Community for the Aged) did a fundraiser, which was unbelievable, to help get me over to Hawaii. I’ve also had support from the Echuca Tri Club, who I’m a part of.”
The aged care organisation helped raise $1440 for Cladingboel’s journey, while a contribution from Moama Bowling Club helped bring the total to $2440.
“Bec is such a popular staff member, so the fundraising was a rewarding, wellbeing activity for everyone,” Echuca Community for the Aged chief executive John Dean said.
“Moama Bowling Club have always been great supporters of Echuca Community for the Aged over the years. They are a fantastic, community-minded club who offered to help Rebecca out once they found out about what we were doing.”
Cladingboel said it was heartening to have the backing of the community.
“Community sport just warms my soul generally, but I’m pretty humbled to be supported in that way,” she said.
“I won’t have the same crew that I’ve always had in Australia there with me, but to know that they’re actually cheering for me is going to be huge.
“It’s really awesome to know when I’m out there racing that I’ve got that community support behind me over the journey.
“I was blown away by how much support I got.”
Ready to go: Rebecca Cladingboel, pictured here competing during the Echuca-Moama triathlon, will tackle the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii.
Photo by
Cath Grey
With the Hawaii temperature hovering about 27ºC at this time of year, the heat is set to add another challenge.
But a makeshift “heat cave” is assisting in Cladingboel’s efforts to acclimatise to the conditions.
“I’ve created a heat cave in the laundry, which I’ve set between 27 and 30 degrees,” she said.
“I’ve been riding my bike trainer in there aiming for an hour every couple of days. It’s going to be quite humid over there and really windy.
“I’ve just been trying to acclimatise over here, but it’s pouring rain — that’s the trickiest thing, acclimatising (to the conditions).
“I’m there a whole week to try and get used to the heat. When I’ve been running I’ve been wearing thermals and gloves and extra layers.”
A veteran of four half-ironmans and countless triathlons, the Echuca Moama Triathlon Club athlete said she was simply aiming to do her best.
“To get to that finish line is always my biggest goal,” Cladingboel said.
“I just want to enjoy it, to take in all the atmosphere at the biggest ironman race of the year.
“It’s always nice to finish towards the pointy end of the field, but my goal is to enjoy the race and do my best.”
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