Coast athletes win adventure title

TWO SURF Coast athletes have won a prestigious Adventurers of the Year award.
Jan Juc’s John Jacoby and Anglesea’s Chris Porter won the Australian Geographic Society award for circumnavigating South Georgia Island, known as the ‘Gateway to Antarctica’, by kayak with team mates Andrew Maffett and Jim Bucirde.
They paddled the 500 kilometres in record time before crossing the island on foot.
The team members received their awards in Sydney this week.
Mr Jacoby called it a “great honour”.
“We feel humbled to be among such esteemed company when you see the list of previous winners,” he said.
“We really just consider ourselves a bunch of old guys who want to get out and do good stuff.
“Hopefully our expedition inspires others, both young and old, to go out and chase their dreams and adventures.”
Jacoby was given the keys to City of Melbourne in 1987 after earning his third consecutive World Marathon Champion crown.
He went on to win a fourth title and to complete 30 major international adventure races in 16 countries.
Mr Jacoby was also the first Australian to win New Zealand’s Coast to Coast title.