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The Team

Front Left To Right: Michael Oates, Peter Lawton, Jeff Courtney
Back Left To Right: Lee Oates, Katrina Van Haeringen, Diane Knight

Peter Lawton - Rider (Jonah)
Born: 1961 in New Zealand

Peter spent his first 37years in New Zealand heavily involved in sport. Being a competitive runner in 10km races, ½ Marathons and Marathons, Peter was lured to the exciting challenges of Triathlon events in the early 1980’s. Peter’s passion for Triathlon events was so great that during 1989 & 1990 he placed his career on hold to train and compete full time.

It was while doing a stint of racing in Australia in 1989 that Peter made a trip to the outback and this is when his dream to ride across Australia was born. Peter knew then that he would one day live in this amazing country. A serious cycling accident in 1991 caused irreparable damage to his knees and Peter could no longer be a serious competitor in running and his dedication to cycling began. Peter moved to Australia in 1998 and proudly became an Australian citizen two years later. It was the Gold Coast runners who fondly nick named Peter ‘Jonah’ believing his strong, powerful legs were built for a rugby player, not a runner. Peter fondly embraced his nickname and would prefer to be known as ‘Jonah’ from here after.

The Endeavour Foundation is the worthy charity to benefit from the fundraising. Jonah’s involvement with the Endeavour 500 Summer Challenge Relays has earned his respect for the tireless effort that the Endeavour Foundation puts into supporting more than 3000 people with intellectual disability and their families.

Jonah commenced his strict physical and mental training schedule 12 months out from his ride and is well aware of the commitment, drive and ‘ticker’ required for his gruelling challenge. Anyone who really knows Jonah, knows that he will achieve his goal!

Sporting Experience:
Competitor in Marathons, Half Marathons and Fun Runs
Competitor in over 100 Triathlon events including Ironman, Multisport Races, Cycling and Kayaking.
Completed an 11km Ocean Swim facing his fear of sharks,
Competitor in The Endeavour 500 Summer Challenge Relays,
Former Rugby Union player

Work Experience:
Over 20 years experience in the Construction Industry (NZ)
Company Manager – 5 years Dapco Metal Roofing

Michael Oates - Manager
Born: 1949 in Liverpool, England

Michael was raised and educated in Canada. He came to Australia in 1973 and settled on the Gold Coast. Michael has been involved in many sports during his school years and beyond, with his main activity always being athletics. Running has kept Michael sane over the years, even through his numerous injuries and/or accidents.

Michael has taken on the position of managing Jonah’s Endeavour Ride for which we hope to raise much needed funds for a very worthwhile cause. Michael is looking forward to this very rewarding role. Even though Michael has managed running teams in the past, he is looking forward to this adventure as it will challenge both Jonah and the support crew.

Experience:
Team Manager of the GCCC Runners team for the Endeavour 500 Summer Challenge for last 10 years, Level 2 Athletics Coach Organiser of Beach Fun Runs

Sporting Experience:
Competitor in the Endeavour 500 Summer Challenge for last 13 years
Competitor in many Marathons, Half Marathons and Fun Runs
Active member of the Gold Coast Runners Club
Represented RAAF in athletics
Member of RAAF charity runs Townsville-Cairns & Toowoomba-Mt Cootha
Competitor in the CANAM Games track and field squad – Canada
Former competitor in Baseball, Ice Hockey, Golf, Tennis

Work Experience:
Local Government – 20 years
Defence Force – 9 years

Lee Oates - Coordinator
Born: 1958 in Australia

Lee met our team manager Michael after she moved to the Gold Coast with her family in 1972. After Lee and Michael married, they travelled and spent most of Mike’s RAAF years in Queensland, eventually settling on the Gold Coast to raise their family.

In the lead up to Jonah’s Endeavour Ride, Lee will liaise closely with the Endeavour Fundraising teams, and help the team manager with the day to day organisation for the ride. Lee will keep a journal of Jonah’s preparation and what goes on behind the scenes.

During the event, Lee will share the responsibility with some of the other team members, of driving the support vehicle and the motor home, timekeeping and keeping the log books up to date, food preparation, organising sleeping arrangements, looking after Jonah’s ‘special’ needs, meeting with various media along the way, taking photos and generally being a ‘Gopher’.

Experience:
Support crew member of the GCCC Runners team in the Endeavour 500 Summer Challenge for the last 7 years

Sporting Experience:
Winner of numerous Tennis tournaments throughout Queensland and New South Wales
Winner of Husband/Wife teams event in Townsville Fun Run
Former competitor in Squash, Netball and Basketball

Work Experience:
Hospitality – 17 years
Local Government – 5 years

Katrina van Haeringen - Physiotherapist
Born: 1969 in Australia

Katrina is one of four children from a large extended family. She enjoys the challenge of competing in triathlon events, swimming, adventure racing and fun runs. Katrina enjoys holidays with a challenge such as trekking, hiking, cycling and sea kayaking which she is lucky enough to share with her great friends.

Katrina graduated with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy from the University of Queensland in 1991 and graduated with a Bachelor of Human Movement Studies, University of Queensland in 1994. She has worked in both Australia and the UK and is presently a Physiotherapist at the Gold Coast Hospital. Katrina is looking forward to challenging her Physiotherapy ability from a different angle and will also help during the ride with bike maintenance. Katrina will be a strong support to Jonah and the rest of the team.

Sporting Experience:
Competitor in many Marathons, Half Marathons and Fun Runs
Competitor in NZ & Australian Ironman
Yeppoon Half Ironman
7 Noosa Triathlons
Competitor in recent Adventure Races
Undertaken many walking expeditions
Cycled parts of Ireland and Australia
Trekked from Lukla to Everest Base Camp, Nepal
Competitor in 4 Endeavour 500 Summer Challenge Relays
Sea Kayaked off North Queensland coast

Work Experience:
Physiotherapist – 15 years
Currently working at the Gold Coast Hospital with a special interest in Cardiothoracics and Intensive Care

Jeff Courtney - Masseur
Born: 1949 in New South Wales, Australia

Jeff has been involved in a wide variety of sports all his life. Starting with school boy rugby league, he also held a state boxing title at 15 years of age and has played social golf since he was 17 years old. Jeff has played district and competition tennis, basketball, cricket and rugby union as well as competing in many running and triathlon events. He is also a Level 1 swim coach – an all round sportsman.

Jeff is a Sports Masseur of 14 years, who has worked with a variety of sports people including past and present Olympians and the Australian Veterans Hockey team. Jeff is now looking forward to the challenge of working on Jonah as well as being an integral member of his support crew. He will also share the responsibility of bike maintenance with Katrina.

Sporting Experience:
Competitor in 2 Ultra Marathons
Competitor in 5 Marathons, 40+ Half Marathons and many Fun Runs
Competitor in over 100 Triathlon events, including 3 Forster Ironman and all 8 Gold Coast World Cups - 100+ races
Participated in the Bellbowrie-Grafton Cycling tour in 1999
Competitor in the Endeavour 500 Summer Challenge Relays since 1998

Work Experience:
Sports Masseur – 14+ years
Building Design – since the 1970’s

Diane Knight – Nutrition / Office Support
Born: 1959 in Australia

Diane moved from Melbourne to the Gold Coast in 1987. It was the Gold Coast weather and lifestyle that enticed Diane to start running. Diane met Jonah in 2003 and has her own agenda for making sure his journey is a success.

In the lead up to Jonah’s Endeavour Ride, Diane will be an integral part of keeping Jonah motivated. Diane’s challenge will be to give ongoing support to Jonah during his training and monitoring his nutritional requirements. All clerical work required to be done prior to the event will be handled by Diane.

During the event, Diane will enforce Jonah’s nutritional requirements to ensure his peak performance and assist with the day to day operations of the journey.

Sporting Experience:
Competitor in Fun Runs
Cycling for fitness

Work Experience:
Customer Service – 23 years
Human Resources – 5 years