Latest News

East End Laundromat Keeps Eddie Clean

Ken & Wanda wash and dry the Training Clothes

Newcastle East’s happy and Fun couple Ken & Wanda wanted to put something back into the community and so chose to support me with my washing and drying which is great. I think Ken see’s this as a great opportunity to stir me up with his funny jokes on me getting old and grey hair and I need a cut and color I hear him say. He wins because it is true. I can’t do those jokes back because it takes Ken just 7 seconds to do his hair every morning as there is not much up there. Wanda well Wanda…. what can I say that I only wish I was around before Ken as she is a stunner. A shame in one way but anyway a least I get to see her regularly now as she and Ken are sponsors. Oops sorry Ken, just jokes mate. Go easy on me next time I am in too mate. Pic by a customer.

RPM – Class at Forum Harbourside Open Day

Come to do an RPM Class Mayor on open day?

I was here today to be part of my great supporting sponsors RPM Spin Bike Class with instructor Tony Cleva. Visiting the Forum was Mayor John Tate and his wife Kathy seen here in this picture with Forum CEO Samantha Martin. I put some acid on Tatey about getting up into the RPM class cause he looked like he needs exercise but he said something like NO CAN DO, not fit enough. Umm…..never to late to start.  Anyway at least he is getting out and about and took the time to drop in along with many folk on this beautiful Saturday.  Pic by Jamie Wicks.

Kath Bergkvist to participate in 14hr day

Kath To do last Run leg with me.

Wow great news Kath will join me on the last run leg from top of The Terrace at King Edward Park and run/jog back to Forum Harbourside with me and nine others. Kath has just turned 59 so I think that is very  cool of her. You go girl. Kath called me up and said I am in as you will need the support at that time of the evening, I said yep I will be getting tired as we make our way back to the Forum Harbourside for the completion of the Run last Run leg at 6.24pm. Then it is a 1 hour RPM Spin Bike Class to finish before heading up to No 1 sportsground for a few laps with my AFL Club Newcastle City Blues and I jog finally into Club Panthers for the Big After Party. All Swim, Bike, Run participants get 2 tickets for the party and each RPM Spin Bike Class participant gets a single Ticket as well.  It will be fab spot to end the 14 hour day.

The Junction Businesses support Eddie Cross’ 14hr day

Three wise Men in Support.

I can announce that my face is once again appearing up on a banner to raise awareness of the 14 Hour Day for Disability on October 18th. Yep I know I see myself in the mirror and it scares me sometimes too, so yeah...... sorry.

The banner is in Union st on The Gen X Advisers balcony above the Union Brasserie.  It was produced by Justin Lee of Big Colour Visual of Broadmeadow. Gen X owner Dustin Kavanagh along with Newcastle identity Rolly De With make up the trio responsible thru their kind sponsorship to help promote the 14 hour day. Moreover this Banner is the idea of the creative Mrs Cassie Kavanagh the beautiful warm partner of Dustin and designed by Design Change.

Incidentally on the day I will be riding and running past their businesses several times throughout the day. I am working on the possibility of having a drink station at Rolly’s Junction Hotel- but it will be Gatorade for me, not Merlot or Bluetongue.

Come to Forum Harbourside Free RPM Bike Class

Forsythes Partner to Participate

Run participant for The 14 Hour Day

I can happily announce the news that Forsythes Partner Martin Matthews is going to participate in the 14 Hour Day for Disability on October 18th.

Martin has chosen to run the Third Leg of the run which involves the route from Forum Harbourside up the Foreshore and up into King Edward Park southern tip to Sketchley Cottage at the Terrace.

When I asked Martin what run leg did he want he said I don’t care its all good mate. I said Martin are you wanting a flat run or hills. He said mate you will be tired out after going all day so as I don’t get board the hills will be fine. I said yep cool because you are right Martin I will be. Anyway it is a slow 6mins per each Km so that is fine. And Martin is tall and strong so he can carry me if I get tired and fall behind. Then again the other more stronger man from Forsythes  Paul Hankinson maybe a better option.

This pic of Marty and I having fun is by his PA Fiona.

Olympic Legend to Give participants Free Swim Tech Class

John Konrads will teach us to Swim More Efficiently

We can proudly announce the news that John  Konrads is going to run a swim class for all those people who run, swim and bike with me for FREE. Obviously the class will not hold 100 people and 1st in 1st served so stay tuned. These classes will be held at The Forum Sports & Aquatic Centre Callaghan.

John will then hold a second class(es) later in the day for a great fee.  There are several weekends in Sept and 4/5 Oct for Clinics are the likely times at this stage before the big 14hour day on October 18th. We will let you know soon.

"John's Special [Eddie... etc} Swim Clinic is designed to improve your performance and consists of a stress-free 2hours, including John's Swim Easy DVD [Value $50], written notes with your personal priority list, introductory presentation and refreshments.

Hands On Remedial Massage to keep me on track.

Steve Dearing of Hands on Remedial Massage is in full swing to keep me injury free in managing my muscle soreness.

Steve looked after The Newcastle EPS Triathlon Squad I was in for 4 years and I am pleased to say that he has come onboard as my sponsor to manage my body with recovery and injury prevention during this now peak time of training.

As my volume increases it is nice to be guided by someone who knows best. Steve operates from nearby Carrington and works with many athletes and also does in office massages for clients like Redback Solutions and other businesses in Newcastle.

Steve will accompany me all day during the 14hours and massage me as I ride the RPM Spin Bike 2 classes at The Forum where he is now a member and then at Westfield in two inside centre area's RPM Classes- By Fitness First and also the hour class up at Maitland Genesis Gym which is known as a Schwinn Cycle Class.

At the after party at Club Panthers Steve will also massage my little legs whilst I have a Drip to rehydrate on arrival. After a big cheque is handed over.

Launch - 14 Hour Day for Disability Forum Harbourside

A great Media Launch this was with 87 people in attendance.

MC NBN’s Mike Rabbitt said it is the biggest crowd at a media launch he has ever been too.

Newcastle Herald photographer Stefan Moore asked John Konrads if I could LeapFrog over the top of him and so I did then 5 times. Challenging stuff.

A pretty funny pic of that appeared in Thursday’s Herald along with a great article done by Martin Dineen who was a player in Newcastle City Blues 1st grade side and witnessed me in reserve grade getting knocked out back in May 2006. Marty then was at my bedside everyday in hospital.

Mike asked John Konrads who launched the 14hour day why he chickened out of the swim up the harbour with me. He said he was just sensible and that it was too cold and anything below 18 degrees in the water is not good for the crown jewels, as he stated to all getting happy laughter.

Leapfrog CEO Richard Brown told everyone that he will be spending the money quickly on the people and kids with a disability who require it urgently. Richard gave some descriptions of how Leapfrog got it's name and the sort of support it gives children with a disability.

 
Then there was a cheque presentation from Vanessa Parry-Williams representing Seymour Whyte Constructions for her participation. I then got up and answered a few questions from Mike and had a bit of fun with him and the crowd as well. He commented how he has called many Australian Ironman Triathlon Championships and how he thinks we are silly and I asked him was he going to ride a heap of kms with me much to the crowds delight.
I also explained how the day was not a race but a very long day of exercise for me and I really needed more people to participate with me and show their support for a short amount of the journey on the 18th of October. Alternatively you can just jump on here and donate as little as $15.

Together we are going to help those who need a little extra help.

Pics by Andrew of AJM Photo and James from Leapfrog. Eddie Leapfroging over John Konrads pic by AJM Photo.

Launch - 11am Wednesday 6th Forum Harbourside

Olympian To Launch Eddie Cross' 14 Hour day For Disability

One of our greatest Olympians, John Konrads, understands those challenges and is in town on 6 August 2008 for the Official Launch of Eddie Cross’ 14 Hour Day for Disability.  John recognises the challenges people with a disability face everyday and is proud to lend his support to this exciting day.  On the 18th October 2008, John will be back in Newcastle to swim with Eddie for part of his journey on the 14 Hour Day.

John Konrads represents a unique mix of sporting legend and senior business executive. He astounded the sporting world when at the age of 15 he broke all world freestyle records from 200m to 1500m. Together with his sister Ilsa, the "Konrads kids" dominated the record books during the late 50s and early 60s.

John represented Australia at the 1956, 1960 and 1964 Olympic Games, winning gold in the 1500m freestyle at the Rome Olympic Games and bringing home 3 gold medals from the 1958 Commonwealth Games. His status as a swimming legend is recognised by the International Hall of Fame, the Australian Sports Hall of Fame and at the Sydney International Aquatic Centre.

John has a distinguished career in Australian corporate life. For more than a decade he was Chief Executive of the Australian operations for the world's largest personal care products company L'Oreal, during which time he successfully increased sales and market share. He went on to be General Manager Marketing for Ansett in the lead up to airline deregulation. More recently he was CEO, Melbourne Major Events Company where he was responsible for attracting many high profile events to the City of Melbourne including the Grand Prix.
Returning to the Olympic City of Sydney, John now applies his experience and skills in executive career management and retains active sporting interests through his Swim Easy instruction system for adults.
He is a Board Member of the Black Dog Institute, an organization supported by the NSW Government which addresses the diagnosis, treatment and de-stigmatisation of mental disorders.
A founding President of the Olympians Club, John is also honoured by the French Government National Order of Merit for his services to business.