If you are not quite ready to race yourself and want to see what all the excitement is about, consider being a spectator for a triathlon near you. Live in the Calgary area? Sunday August 2nd is the fast appoaching date for the first annual Ironman Calgary 70.3 that will kick off in Ghost Lake.
Or perhaps take in Ironman Canada in Penticton on the last Sunday in August.
I've been a spectator myself at Ironman Canada the past few years and wasn't sure how much I would enjoy being a spectator along a course that I had raced on 10 times in the past.
I learned quite a lot from spending the day, and much of the night on the course cheering on the competitors. I saw the race from a different viewpoint and was able to see how others reacted to the race and how they supported everyone.
Many spectators were up an hour before the start gun in order to land a prime viewing spot for what was to be the biggest mass swim start in Ironman history.
Then while the runners were out on the bike course, people were writing out chalk messages up and down the run course in recognition of their favorite triathletes. All the restaurants were full along main street as the bikers began coming back into town hours later and from that moment on, the procession of bikers and runners would go on late into the night.
It was amazing to see just how much support the spectators provided for 'all' the participants. It was also special to see how they stayed out there hour after hour to cheer everyone on. I'm glad I had a chance to see the race from another point of view, and came to a major conclusion.
You have to be 'tough' to be an Ironman spectator. You might have to be tough as well to take in the Ironman Calgary 70.3 because it has two separate transition areas and will take some planning on the spectators part.
The very first time I was a spectator I really began to understand the importance of spectator support to the athletes and just how much they appreciate the families, friends, volunteers, and even strangers who urge them on through a difficult and challenging day.
HERE IS SOME COURSE INFORMATION TO HELP YOU ALONG:
SWIM - 1.9km (1.2 miles) - 1 loop
The swim starts and finishes at the boat ramp located at the mouth of the Ghost River in Ghost Lake. The course is one loop and begins heading directly away from the boat ramp before turning left (north) under the Highway 1A bridge and into the narrow. The swim will head north for approximately 850 meters before turning to the right for 25 meters then right again now heading south. Shortly after passing under the bridge the course turns right again heading back towards the boat ramp. The swim course exits the water on the left hand side of the boat ramp. Transition 1 is located in the parking lot adjacent to the boat ramp.
BIKE - 90km (56 miles) - point-to-point
Exit transition traveling east on Highway 1A toward Calgary.
Turn Left (north) on Grand Valley Road
Turn right (east) on Township Road 280
Turn right (south) on Horse Creek Road
Turn left (east) on Highway 1A
Turn right (south) on Highway 22
Turn left (east) on Township Road 250
Turn right (south) on Rural Road 31
Turn left (east) on Lower Springbank Road
Turn right (south) on 69th Street
Turn left (east) on Glenmore Trail (HWY 8)
Continue past Sarcee Trail to the right on Glenmore Trail
Turn right (south) on 37th Street and proceed into North Glenmore Park to the
transition area.
RUN - 21.1km (13.1 miles) - out and back - Run map and profile info available here.
Exit Transition Area heading east through North Genmore Park toward the Canoe
Club.
Turn around and head back past transition
Follow the path through Weaselhead Natural Environment Park
Continue up to South Glenmore Park to the turn around point
Return following the same route
The finish line is adjacent to T2
CUT-OFF TIMES
Swim: 1:10 after the last wave start
Bike: 5 hours after the last wave start
Run: 8 hours after the last wave start
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