Tapping into the imagination of the 'human race'
Published on 08 September, 2011
Keen runners are clued into 'the razorback road', 'the first turkey track' and 'the bull to bull circuit' in the Rockhampton region.
Add in the 'beach road' and the 'river run' and it's surprising Central Queensland is considered as a gap in the map in terms of Australia's major running, cycling and triathlon calendars.
LINK to Uni helps runners put 'spring' in step
Two graduates of CQUniversity are keen to change that by working in partnership with existing sports groups to add the pizzazz needed to attract national and even international entrants.
The aim is to help local running, triathlon and cycling clubs attract new 'year-round' members through a positive experience of drawcard events.
The former OHS student buddies, Sean Peckover and Jason Paull, now have day jobs in the corporate health and safety field. Sean is based at CQUniversity and Jason is at Stanwell Power Station.
But they have also started a sideline business as Human Race Events (HRE) to 'add the trimmings' designed to ensure regional events capture the imagination of sporting tourists.
For example, they are helping organisers of the CQPhysio Group Spring Classic arrange branded race singlets, electronic timing, live music, a recovery area, pace runners, prize money and random prize giveaways.
"We've identified a gap in event management for this region and we aim to create a festival atmosphere around popular marathon, half-marathon and endurance events along the lines of the Gold Coast Marathon and Great Ocean Road Cycling Classic, and Sunshine Coast events run by USM Events such as the Noosa Triathlon, Blue Water Swim, Paddle and Century Cycle events," Sean says.
The dynamic duo are keen to make their new business model work and they've already signed with a charity partner, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, to share some of the proceeds of HRE events.