Ironman Canada Video Preview

Ironman Canada is selling a video online including video clips of individual athletes finishing. You can view a short sample by clicking the screen on the left.

The cost is $19.95 and they did a great job with this video.

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Jessiqa Pace's Ironman Canada Photo Gallery from Race Day Volme III

Jessiqa Pace's Photo Gallery from Race Day Vol II

Jessiqa Pace's Photo Gallery from Race Day

Parade of Athletes

I spent a few days wondering if there would be a parade this year. Half of the schedules had the parade listed, and the other half did not. I was happy to see that the parade did in fact happen, here are some snapshots and a video of the song "Oh Canada." Click play on the last image and turn up your speakers.

Are Those Bags Under Your Skies? - Photo Gallery

Lakeside baggage abounds.

It's amazing that your body knows what to do the day before the Ironman. I caught this athlete waiting in the lobby, the right way.

Disk or spoke?

Penticton's best.

It is a good idea to put some kind of marker on your bag so you can see it when two thousand people are looking for the exact same bag.

Ironman Canada is Tomorrow.

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3,220 People in an Ironman?

Tonight, Graham Fraser announced that next year they are considering having two wave starts for Ironman Canada. Two. History in the making. Up to 3200 people.

He also announced tonight that registrants in this year's event will be allowed to register for next year's event tomorrow (Saturday) -- the day BEFORE the event -- rather than the day AFTER.

I have a vivid recollection of coming back to the host hotel after finishing the event a few years ago, and climbing over the un-showered, passed out people who had just finished racing in the Ironman and were now sleeping in the lobby. They had formed a line to register for the following year's event the day after the Ironman - and gone to sleep.

Graham's decision to offer registration for next year's event the day before the Ironman is a fantastic one.

Triathlon's explosive growth is fueled by the passion of millions of Triathletes around the world, and some great executives who run the events.

The first Ironman Canada had about 20 people in it, now potentially 3,220. Thanks Graham! I'll be registering tomorrow for next year's event.

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Bad Boys, Bad Boys.

"On Sunday August 27th, 2006 at 7:00 a.m., over one hundred and fifty police officers and friends from across Canada & the US, all members of the Cops for Cancer team, will embark on the first leg of the Ironman Canada Triathlon competition in Penticton, British Columbia. After a leisurely 3.8 km swim and a scenic 180 km bike ride they will finish by running a complete marathon. Their aim is to complete this physically and mentally grueling event and succeeded in raising over $1,200,000 for the battle against cancer."-Ironcopsforcancer.com

Lisa Bentley, two-time Subaru Ironman Canada Champion, is working in conjunction with the Cops for Cancer Ironman team raising money for the cause. The funds will go to Camp Goodtimes, a program for children with cancer that lets them enjoy normal camp activities while undergoing cancer treatment.

Ironman Canada - Thursday Sightings

Professional athlete Nicole Guembel looks very fit this year and she has a spark in her eye.

In OK Falls we stopped to see the antique gurus Francis, Mike and John Trent. They collect rocks and other antiques and are history buffs. I was amazed at Mike's knowledge of the Spanish Inquisition and other facts of history. Pictured above with me are John and Francis. Mike (the dad) had some sage advise when I asked him about collecting rocks, he said, "Whatever you do in life, make sure you have a hobby. If you have a hobby, you'll live 10 years longer." I think he's right.

Be careful of the trucks!

Thursday. T minus 3 days to the race. Eons ago, when I placed 49th overall in this race, my friend Keith Simmons -- then a professional rock star singer -- showed me the Ironman run course. We rode it together with Jessi Stensland as she was just discovering her passion for Triathlon. Today I showed my friend Andy the run course– as we rode, I was thinking about the fact that I have to run that entire way, it seemed far– but perspective is very important in Ironman distance racing. If you can, it is always a good idea to bike the run course so you can get a feel for the route, where the hills are, etc.

Scott Jones, US Navy, and Billy Edwards, USMC along the run course
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