Life savers run third in Tower race

A team of six life savers from Ocean Beach Surf Life Saving Club took out third place in the charity and community groups division of this year's Sydney Tower race.

The event took place on July 23, with six local surf club members tackling more than 1500 steps while raising funds for Surf Life Saving Australia.

The team consisted of members from all aspects of surf lifesaving, and was led to the top well by Ocean Beach runners Jason Tucker (11:32), Aaron Camp (12:51) and Alison Tucker (14:50).

Lifesaving competitors Richard Grimmond, Mark Davis, and Central Coast lifesaver of the year Katie Dixon finished strongly, helping the team overcome some tough competition including representatives from the Canterbury Bulldogs.

While the times of Camp and the Tucker's would have placed them amongst the "elite" category runners, Jason Tucker summed up the feelings of most competitors, saying "you can't train for this".

The sentiment was echoed by team captain Richard Grimmond who said the event was "one of the toughest events to compete in".

"I was more anxious about this than skydiving from 14,000 feet," Mr Grimmond said.

Despite a few wobbly legs and some burning lungs, Mark Davis said the team "would be back" next year, and will hopefully improve a few places and take the title to Ocean Beach.

Press release, 27 Jul 2010 Aaron Camp, Ocean Beach SLSC