Feature Article August 15, 2001
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The Simon Whitfield plaque dedicationby David Brison
Rudy Hollywood, his father Ken Hollywood, and triathlon organizer Don MacDonald were at the Sharbot lake beach on Saturday getting the Simon Whitfield plaque ready for its unveiling on August 25.
It is no ordinary plaque as is fitting for the extraordinary individual it is dedicated to. Also, anyone who knows Rudy and Joan Hollywood might expect something different. Now I know where Rudy gets his drive and ingenuity his father Ken might not run as fast or as far as Rudy, but he doesnt take a back seat, at age 85, when it comes to getting a two-ton rock out of a ditch, down to the beach, and chiseled into shape for the bronze plaque.
Kens sharp eyes spotted the huge chunk of granite on a roadside. The rock, according to Ken, is composed of spar, crystal, quartz, and graphite. Central Frontenac Township, under the direction of Bill Nicol, transported it to the beach, and on Saturday Rudy and Don smoothed the front with hammer and chisel, and drilled holes to mount the plaque all under the watchful eyes and supervision of Ken.
Olympic Gold medal winner Simon Whitfield competed in both the Sharbot Lake Mini-Tri for kids and the adult event. After his win at Sydney, he told the world that he got his start at Sharbot Lake.
He first entered the Sharbot Lake Mini-Tri in 1987 and competed every year until 1992, when he left Kingston to go to school in Australia. His results were good, but by no means did he dominate the field of youthful triathletes. For example, he finished 7th in his age category in 1990 (the Hollywood's son Brandon finished 4th that year), 2nd in 1991, and finally won the 15 - 16 age group in 1992. He came back in 1996 and won the adult event in a time of 1:35.12 - a good time, but short of the 1:34.39 time run by Rob Campbell in 1992.
According to Rudy, What Simons times demonstrate is that you actually can improve over time it shows what training and dedication can do for you.
Simon is back in Australia now and wont be able to attend the ceremony on the 25th but his family, who live in Kingston, will be there for the dedication.
Competitors need events like the Sharbot Lake triathlon to test their skills and it is good to see the event, which was regarded very highly by triathletes, back on the circuit.
The big question now is whether Dr. Peter Bell will compete and again place first in his category.
