29/30AUG09 - Penticton, BC (canada - eh?!?)

We wanted to stay overnight north of Penticton, BC, Canada, but when we called for RV reservations we learned there was no room because of the Ironman race that weekend! So we pulled into the first RV camp in Penticton and decided to stay for two nights. Turns out that the 28th annual Canadian Ironman race was in Penticton and there was about 3000 entrants! Why we could find a RV spot in Penticton, but not north, we still don’t understand? For those don’t know about the Ironman, this is a race that was started by a couple of Navy Seals in Hawaii in 1978, that felt a marathon wasn’t tough enough! You start with a 2.4 mile swim, followed by a 112 mile biking portion and finish with a full marathon! The race starts at 0600 and the world class athletes will be done in less than 12 hours!

That evening we walked around Penticton and you could see signs of the race that was to be held the next day, Sunday, everywhere. Many shops were offering discounts to contestants, and you could see many very fit people in spandex doing light running or biking in preparation. And the balconies of one of the best hotels had very expensive race bikes on almost everyone of them. We also noted in the bike starting area many individuals drawing and writing encouraging messages with chalk on the street.

Sunday morning we went sight seeing outside of town to avoid the congestion created by the race. We found a park called Giant Head Park and drove up a very narrow road, which we believed was oneway, to check out the views from the top. As we prepared to depart, Dan realized there was no other way out then the way up? He asked some locals about this and they told him the road up was the road down and just hope you did NOT meet anyone on the sections truly one lane wide!

http://summerlandmuseum.org/giantshead.html

Upon our return to Penticton we found a Pub right on the race route and decided to have lunch on the balcony and watch the event. While looking for a parking spot we even saw the top three male contestants who were well into the marathon portion while everyone else was just starting the biking! At the Pub there were a group of individuals (4 girls & 2 guys) called the Portland Ironheads. We are not sure but they appeared to be race “groupies” dressed up in bright spandex, Viking helmets, tutus, funny wigs, etc, and encouraging the contestants with cow bells, horns, and megaphones. In fact, it appears that constant support of all the contestants is part of the fun of being a spectator? There were small and large groups of spectators throughout town equipped with cow bells, clappers, and/or horns yelling every racer onward (on one corner was a very good “bongo” drum group playing for the racers). Some family members and friends even had special t-shirts for their racer. That night the local TV station was still broadcasting the race live sixteen hours into the event.

http://ironman.com/

http://www.ironman.ca/

Trivia – Who are the Vees? And what world championship did they win in 1955 (think big red machine)?