I suspect that despite the change in ownership/sponsorship that I will be back - I need to test myself against the same course and see if I can improve with age! Others that have raced IMC in Penticton will also probably come back for similar reasons with an annual trek to the Okanagon Valley being a ritual that will be hard to break. I consider myself very fortunate to have had at least two opportunities to compete at IMC. I've already had conversations with a couple of friends who won't get the same kind of chance. I know as well that others are a lot more emotionally attached and invested in this particular race and this particular venue and it will be a bit harder for them to just move on.
In my brief time being associated with IMC in Penticton I've seen some pretty amazing feats - running into Jordan Rapp in a local mall the day before his winning performance in 2011; getting a chance to race with Sister Madonna Buder; got to compete with (and swim beside) David Lee, the first paraplegic wheelchair athlete to ever complete the IMC; an opportunity to see all shapes and sizes of athletes take on the the IMC challenge; and, overall to share a great experience with my Ironman wife who got me started on this little adventure! We never did get a chance to do the IMC together, but we alternated with cheering each other on.
As with any triathlon, IMC now needs to go through it's own transition phase and get ready for the next part of the race. Looking forward to many future performances and memories in a new venue!
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Without Question, the 30th Subaru Ironman Canada Finishes Strong
August 26, 2012
Penticton, BC (August 26, 2012) – Coming into the 30th Subaru Ironman Canada Triathlon, the question in the forefront of everyone’s minds was: who does this race belong to? On Sunday, August 26, 2012, there was no easy answer.
Did the 30th edition belong to first time Ironman winner Matthew Russell from Scottsdale, Arizona, who won the Men’s professional race (8:48:30), after countless lead changes and a blistering 2:53:35 marathon run?
Did the event belong to British Columbia’s own Gillian Clayton, who won the Women’s professional race (9:46:07), after trailing over 18 minutes early on in the run? She was, after all, the first female amateur finisher in the 2011 Subaru Ironman Canada Triathlon, returning one year later to claim her first professional Ironman victory.
Did Subaru Ironman Canada belong to age grouper Kendra Lee from Denver, Colorado, who had the fastest overall Female time at 9:44:58, capturing the interest of spectators and race crew alike?
Did the Penticton race belong to the over 2,600 brave athletes who started the swim in the wee hours of the morning, 998 of whom did so for the first time?
Did the triathlon belong to long-time race owner Graham Fraser, crossing the finish line alongside his relay race partners Lisa Bentley and Lori Bowden, who have a combined eight Subaru Ironman Canada victories?
Did the week-long buildup and event belong to the City of Penticton, whose spectators and volunteers opened their hearts to support it for the 30th time?
None of these answers do justice to the sheer magnitude of the 30th edition of Subaru Ironman Canada. To everyone touched by Subaru Ironman Canada, it will always belong to them.
Did the event belong to British Columbia’s own Gillian Clayton, who won the Women’s professional race (9:46:07), after trailing over 18 minutes early on in the run? She was, after all, the first female amateur finisher in the 2011 Subaru Ironman Canada Triathlon, returning one year later to claim her first professional Ironman victory.
Did Subaru Ironman Canada belong to age grouper Kendra Lee from Denver, Colorado, who had the fastest overall Female time at 9:44:58, capturing the interest of spectators and race crew alike?
Did the Penticton race belong to the over 2,600 brave athletes who started the swim in the wee hours of the morning, 998 of whom did so for the first time?
Did the triathlon belong to long-time race owner Graham Fraser, crossing the finish line alongside his relay race partners Lisa Bentley and Lori Bowden, who have a combined eight Subaru Ironman Canada victories?
Did the week-long buildup and event belong to the City of Penticton, whose spectators and volunteers opened their hearts to support it for the 30th time?
None of these answers do justice to the sheer magnitude of the 30th edition of Subaru Ironman Canada. To everyone touched by Subaru Ironman Canada, it will always belong to them.
No comments:
Post a Comment