Mississauga Marathon 2008
I'm divided on whether I'd rather be walking a race or cheering participants in a race. It's all so much fun. Cheering can be a tad unruly what with all the recording devices one can carry these days but I hope you enjoy the result. The attached video gives you an idea of the amazing feats (feets?!) of competitive power walkers in yesterday's half marathon. And, you just have to love Mayor Hazel welcoming all the competitors!
The walking division in the Mississauga event could use some refining. Results for the walkers were posted with the runners initally. Today, the walking results have been posted separately although there appear to be several walkers still ranked with the runners.
And, of course, there is the big question as to whether everyone, especially the lead walkers ahead of Stacey Saunders, were walking. I was standing in the vicinity of 14k for quite some time before Stacey came through and I saw no walker ahead of her. Again, it could just be a matter of race organizers posting walking guidleines on the registration confirmations and the website.
Please post your thoughts, if you participated or cheered at any of the events associated with the Mississauga Marathon.
posted by Wow Power Walking Founder @ 3:38 PM
4 Comments
4 Comments:
Congratulations to all Wow Power Walkers. I was cheering the half marathoners down around the 18 1/2K mark and I was impressed with how great everyone looked coming through that stretch. And yes, Stacey was the very first power walker I saw. Everyone ahead of her was running.
Congrats again to all! You guys did great!
This was my first race ever and I just wanted to say what a fantastic experience it was! The enthusiastic support and encouragement from everyone at WoW, both in the run up, during and after the race was really amazing. Thank you!!
Regarding the Mississauga Marathon's 10 KM Event. We did the 10 km as beginner WOW walkers. While it was a lovely evening and a nice route, we did not find this event favourable to walkers, particularly new ones who aren't quite as fast as Lee - yet! Anyone much slower than us was kicked off the course and onto the sidewalk by a police cruiser. We found out that they had course restrictions but they never disclosed that on the website. We were plenty fast enough, even with starting way at the back, but we felt bad for those who weren't. Some of the waterstations lacked Gatorade for those of us bringing up the rear. The public was on the course, some with their dogs. We actually had to search and ask for a bagel or something to eat in the finish line area. If they want walkers to do the 10 kim they really do need to give them the time to finish. We had a good time and our WOW form must have been impressive since the annoucener said, "These two have obviously done this before." We just smiled for the cameras and let them believe we were old pros. All in all it was a good night, mainly because of how we did. Having been involved in events as volunteer coordinator, I believe the experienced could have been greatly improved if the organizers had taken care of the details for the duration of the event. I'd recommend that walkers considering doing the 10 km next year contact the organizers about course restrictions if they are not posted. If you are at about 9 minutes/km I wouldn't recommend you do this event if the restriction is 10 minutes/km. Once you add the 3 minutes it will take you to cross the start line, you will be too far back to get the full support usually available in an event.
Thanks for this comment about being a slow walker at the Mississauga 10km. This is helpful and I will continue to mention valid criticisms to race organizers. Most of them value the feedback.
Lee
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