Congratulations to Kirk Purchase for being selected as Red Dog’s Athlete of the Month for October 2022.

Kirk wins this month's award for the commitment he showed finishing the race at Club Champs and placing second in his age group after tearing his hamstring early in the run. Well done!

A big thank you to our sponsors for donating this month’s prizes.

1.Red Dog AOTM, how do you feel about that?

I have been working towards it for about a year now so very happy to tick off a goal. Glad to get there for club champs when you aren't just racing for yourself.

2. What attracted you to the club?

I was working in the valley so joined the swim squad about 6 years ago and then disappeared when my son was born but went back when I was getting fat and slow. I am really motivated by the people in the club who like me, have busy lives but are having a crack at what is a tough sport.

3. How much training do you do at the moment?

I have two young kids and a wife who deserves to get to the gym as well so I squeeze 8 sessions in and around work & family commitments. 

4. What’s your favourite session and why?

I love the brick sessions three weeks out from a race. It means it's nearly race time and I find these give me real confidence going into race day.

 5. Who’s your ideal training partner and why?

If Chris Mccormack ever asked an age grouper to have a crack at sub 9 these are my picks: Swim - Rosie, Scott Milson & Coach Cath; Bike - Dom, Jack Morton, Rosie & James Dimsey; then the Run - Scott Milson and Alana Hewish. 

6. Favourite motivational quote?

"Press on, you can if you think you can". James Firth will remember that one. 

7. The one bit of advice I’d give to a newbie is…

Sit down with the coach so you don't smash yourself and or stress about doing too much. This year I am doing a lot less kms and going quicker.

8. What’s your next event?

I want to give hell of the west a nudge I screwed it up last year.

9. What do you do outside of training?

I have a young family, I work for an equipment finance company and have a German shorthaired pointer who needs two walks a day.

10. What’s your one guilty pleasure?

The races there is no feeling like being alive going into the fourth leg of the quaddie except maybe finishing an ironman as a lot of people in the club can relate to.


A list of all AOTM recipients can be found here