THE people have spoken and the results are in.

In a landslide result, Bathurst ironman triathlete Terry Roberts has taken out the annual Western Advocate Sports Awards after picking up a huge share of the vote in his Senior Sportsperson of the Year category.

He finished with 912 votes, defeating his nearest rival – cyclist Mark Renshaw – by over 800 votes.

He defeated Renshaw, cricketer Blake Dean, hockey star Tamsin Bunt and basketballer Haylee Lepaio in his category, while his vote tally was enough to eclipse Junior Sportsperson of the Year Emily Matthews to claim the overall title.

Roberts has put his body through a multitude of torturous races and events over the years and 2014 was no exception as he completed his fifth Hawaii Ironman race at Kona, finishing 59th in his age group at the World Championship event.

He has no plans to slow down, and is in the process of preparing for the Six Foot Track Marathon on March 14 to help raise money for 18-month-old Max McIntyre (pictured), who is suffering from the effects of bacterial meningitis.

Roberts was stunned to find out he had won the award and was quick to play down his achievements.

“I am extremely surprised and humbled by the support I have received from the Bathurst community in being recognised for the Senior Sportsperson of the Year award,” he said. 

“This category included four world class athletes who have achieved at the highest level in their chosen sports and then me. Thank you to everyone who voted for me.

“I would like to use this award as a platform to ask our community to get behind the fundraising efforts of the Ba-thirst Runners group and in particular Paul Twohill. 

“Paul is shaving his hair and racing the Six Foot Track Marathon on March 14 to raise money for Max, who has suffered brain damage and blindness from bacterial meningitis. 

“Paul has prepared meticulously for this race and I am sure he will do extremely well with Max in his heart.”

Roberts, whose endurance experience has revolved around road racing on the bike and on foot, will be breaking some new ground when he takes on the Six Foot Track race alongside Twohill.

His appearance there comes as a result of an agreement with Fairfax Western Regional manager Andrew Meenahan.

“I am aiming to complete the Six Foot Track Marathon myself for the first time because of a deal made between Andrew and myself,” he said.

“Andrew completed Ironman Australia at Port Macquarie last year and I agreed to race the Six Foot if he finished it. Now it’s time for me to live up to my end of the bargain. Max’s story and Paul’s dedication have inspired me to help out where I can so I will race for a worthy cause as well.

“The big thing on the calendar this year apart from Six Foot is the Half-Ironman qualifiers for next year’s World Championships. They’re being held at Mooloolaba in 2016, so I want to be able to race there in front of a home crowd.

“Then maybe back to Kona for another go in a couple of years.

“Thank you again to everyone [for the awards] and please help out with donations to Max.”

Anyone wanting to donate to the cause can send a cheque, made out to Hair For Max, to Terry Roberts, PO Box 497, Bathurst 2795 or to the Western Advocate, attention to Andrew Meenahan.

The campaign also has a couple of Facebook pages, Yellow For Max and Hair For Max.