Calgary 70.3 – A Spectator’s Perspective

This weekend I volunteered at the inaugural Calgary 70.3 race.  A few folks have asked why I didn’t race this one.  I had actually already picked out the Lake Stevens 70.3 for my A race before they announced the Calgary one.  Lake Stevens fit in well with a possible vacation, culminating in volunteering at Ironman Canada on August 30.  Plus, if you have been following this blog for any length of time, you know I love to travel for my races!

But that didn’t mean I wasn’t interested in being involved in the race somehow.  I volunteered at the expo on Friday evening.  I checked timing chips, making sure that the info for the chip corresponded to the correct athlete and all of the correct information was in the computer.  It was so much fun!  I got to see a bunch of athletes come through (including a few pros).  I also got to chat with the reps from the timing company and learn a few interesting tid bits about timing at races. 

We got some very cool shirts for volunteering: Race day I was volunteering at the finish line.  This was definitely a cool place to be!  The way the course was set up we were able to see the runners three times along the course.  When I parked my car everyone was still on the bike.  Shortly after arriving the first place male was in and out on the run – Tim O’Donnell.  I managed to grab a couple of pictures of the first few pros running by before my camera battery went kaput.  Darn it! 

Tim had a huge lead on everyone in the race, and it was pretty well the same story for Mirinda Carfrae for the women.  She was so strong and totally rocked the race!

I wound up pulling finish line banner duty.  How awesome!!  Wouldn’t you know it, I was holding the banner for Mirinda as she crossed the finish line!!  Total highlight of my day.  This was one interesting place to be.  You saw all kinds out there:
- The super elated and happy.
- The ones who really struggled to the finish line (including one guy who barfed going down the finisher’s chute, then stopped and almost fell over as soon as he hit the timing mat.
- One guy who obviously had a major wipe-out on the bike.  Blood all over his legs, a banged up lip.  We were pretty amazed that he finished the race.  He crossed the line and was then hauled off to medical right away.
- People that try a fancy manoeuvre across the finish line – like a cartwheel.  I wasn’t sure what he was doing and thought he was going to fall over.  A couple guys did a big heel kick over the finish line though.  That was cool!
- The guys who just didn’t want to get chicked…

Other highlights included Lisa Bentley coming around later in the race to offer all of the volunteers pieces of watermelon or peaches…seeing all of my friends racing…relaying the news to Angie…hearing some of my friends get roll down spots for Clearwater (which no one took).

It was a hot day out there!  It was rough just standing around.  I can’t even imagine racing.  Congratulations to everyone out there!

Here are a few pictures for your enjoyment!

T2 – the calm before the storm!  The finisher’s medals (a belt buckle) and the finisher’s shirts.  And the finish line!
Tim O’Donnell leading on the run.
Jamie Whyte, the third place male. 
Kirk Nelson, the fourth place male.
  
Mirinda Carfrae, zooming past!
 
Magali Tisseyre, the second place female.
Lisa Mensink, the fourth place female.