MY name is Damien Kelly. I came up for the week to compete in my third Ironman at Port Macquarie.
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Another one done and dusted. How sweet it is to hear the words “Damien Kelly, you are an Ironman!” Yee hah!
I love coming up here each year to this beautiful part of the world and to Port Macquarie in particular, which is the jewel in the crown.
I cannot speak highly enough of all the local people, including volunteers, the people in the accommodation facilities, cafes, pubs, restaurants, and the people who get out there and cheer us on.
These are the people that make my holiday here such a memorable one. Nothing is a problem to anyone you ask.
In fact, I don’t think I have heard the word “no” all week. It is what keeps me coming back to test myself in such a hard race on a difficult course.
It saddens me to think that my prescence here is such a burden to some in the community.
My hope is that I will be welcomed back into this community by the majority of this iconic place because I firmly believe that our prescence here is beneficial to both competitors and the local businesses.
Just for your interest, here are a few personal statistics of my stay. So far I have spent $3000 - $1500 of this is registration for next year’s event and accommodation and $1500 was spent on this year’s accommodation and spending around Port Macquarie.
This does not include cash spent at cafes, pubs, supermarkets etc which totals about $500 so far.
I am sure most of these businesses employ local people, so I like to think that I bring some benefit to your town.
Lastly, I would like to correct one of your letter writers, David Barnes, who suggests that cyclists must ride single file. Cyclists are allowed to ride two abreast as long as you are no further than 1.5 metres apart.
Thanks again for the loan of your beautiful town and all the lovely people who made my stay memorable.
Damien Kelly