Hartington Man Wins Fifth Rudy Award

by Bob Harding

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Denis Morel (right) of Hartington earned his 5th consecutive Rudy Award, which was presented to him by Rudy Hollywood (left) at a recent awards ceremony in Ottawa.

The Rudy Award was established in 2000 by several prominent Ottawa athletes as a way to recognize the accomplishments and leadership of their colleague Rudy Hollywood, an endurance athlete who continually challenged himself and others to go farther and faster. Rudy was active in long distance cross-country skiing, marathon skating, and was an Ironman triathlete who always enjoyed coaching and mentoring up-and-coming athletes.

Rudy was the driving force behind the start of the Sharbot Lake Triathlon where Simon Whitfield of Kingston got his early start in triathlon racing. Rudy is now retired and makes his home in Crow Lake
near Sharbot Lake. He runs a website at www.TriRudy.com that has over 5,000 subscribers and growing. Subscribers are affectionately known as "Tri-Rudyites".

The criteria for earning the Rudy Award are completion of: the Ottawa Winterlude Triathlon (skating, skiing and running); the long course Gatineau ski loppet (53km); the Rideau Lakes Cycle tour (400km Ottawa to Kingston and return in a single week-end); any recognized marathon race (42km); any recognized Ironman Triathlon (4km swim, 180 km bike and 42km run). These must be completed within a calendar year.

Morel joins a select few athletes who have earned multiple "Rudys". He says going for a 6th is not in the cards, although he still plans to race two long course triathlons (Muskoka and Kingston) and two Ironman triathlons (Lake Placid and Florida) this year. Morel recently completed his 15th Ironman competition in Panama City, Florida.