2009 nib Coolangatta Gold - Channel Seven, Sunday November 1 - 2pm
October 28: AUSTRALIA'S iconic endurance Ironman classic, the nib Coolangatta Gold, will go to air on Channel Seven this Sunday at 2pm - a two-hour special not to be missed.
This year's ninth staging of the Coolangatta Gold, which was first run in 1984, attracted record entries across all categories and the Gold Coast turned on a magical day as some of the fittest and bravest athletes in the country conquered their fears and their foes.
The two-hour special shows all the drama of race day as the battle for supremacy in the 46km men's race unfolded on the trek from Surfers Paradise to Coolangatta and return.
It was a race that saw two-time winner Caine Eckstein chasing a record third nib Coolangatta Gold and his training partner, the ageless Dean Mercer, at 39, line up for his seventh attempt at the race that he first contested back in 1991. It was a big day for the Eckstein family, with Donna Eckstein - mother of Caine and Shannon, completing the course to celebrate her 50th birthday.
The 30.5km women's race saw Hayley Bateup lining up in her fifth Coolangatta Gold against the only other competitor to ever beat her over the distance - former City of Perth-now-Mooloolaba former Australian Ironwomen champion Alicia Marriott, chasing her second crown.
Joining them with the catch cry "Can Overcome" on their race singlets were Ironmen and Ironwomen young and old from all over Australia, as well as New Zealand, South Africa, Wales, France and Japan with their sights set on conquering the famous course featured in the 1984 Movie "The Coolangatta Gold."
The team from Newcastle-based production company Castlemedia, led by executive producer John Palmer, has again captured all the build up, all the excitement, all the drama that goes hand-in-hand with a race like the nib Coolangatta Gold.
"The helicopter shots of this year's race are amazing and the 2009 nib Coolangatta Gold has to be one of the most amazing sporting events we have ever produced - not to be missed," said Palmer.
The 2009 nib Coolangatta Gold - Channel Seven, Sunday, November 1 - 2pm
{youtube}kV4IFj_u3Tc{/youtube}
{youtube}buKJK3uWhCc{/youtube}
Producer: Kim Hamilton
Voice overs: Ian Hanson and Darren Madigan
Cameraman: Troy Hanson
Title music: "Move On" by Carrick May (Black Heart album- independent)