The course has improved since the last time I ran the 30 km in 2014. The stretch along Sturgeon Creek is spectacular (another superlative... they just keep coming). The best change from my eye is the absence of the annoying 'add on' penalty lap through Assiniboine Park's Formal Garden on the return. I hate penalty laps!
The volunteers were Winnipeg's finest with smiling faces and lots of curbside cheering. The water stations were located strategically along the 30 km course offering both water and Gatorade. One station even had some granola bars which really came in handy (thanks Kathy). Just when I thought, "hmmm I need some hydration", there appeared a group of smiling happy volunteers only too pleased to assist. The only pet peeve were the teeny plastic cups for water, holding 2 ounces at most. At every station I had to ask for a second or even a third. This is obviously wasteful and time consuming for the busy runner with his eyes on the prize.
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| My favourite water station. But what's with all that green? Photo credit Lorraine Walton |
It was also nice to see Steve J managing the timing. You know the results will be flawless when he's at the timing-helm. Aldo Furlan managed the back half of the 30 km ensuring things were done right and to his high standard. Lorraine Walton was busy on the course stocking water stations and providing good cheer and hugs. The lead cyclists and sweeps, Pietra, Bill, Dorothy (and others) were outstanding (loving my superlatives), and kept us safe.
Race Director, Chris Walton, is proving to be an asset in Winnipeg's running community. A complete neophyte several years ago, he now has a solid track record of successful events. He has a tremendous team behind him, but the buck stops at the race director. Everything from pins to bibs to emergency plans, go through the race director. It's an onerous task, some say thankless. Well done Chris... you do us proud.
An open question to Chris; why do you not kick this course another six kilometers down Sturgeon Creek making it a full marathon course? Just asking, not to take away from today's incredible (superlative) amazing (another one), magnificent (is that too many) 10 10 & 30.
Oh, the coolest thing about the 30 km course? Carly and I agree it's having a cop stop traffic, even busses, while we tear freely through red lights. Now that's cool!
It's a good day to be alive.
Mike
