Welcome to the first in a series of feature articles highlighting our individual races in NB which make up our Subaru East Coast Race Series. It may still be winter, but it's never too early to plan out your race season. With that in mind, we are pleased to provide you with an overview of each of our races this year and who better to hear it from than our dynamic Race Directors! Without these fearless organizers, the races simply would not happen.
Each week (don't hold us to it though!), we will share all the juicy details with you, straight from the RD's mouth; insight into the specific race features, history, future plans and reasons why you should sign up for a particular race. You will also learn more about our Race Directors, why they step up and plan these races, their hobbies, passions and other fun updates about what makes them tick and drives them forward. We hope you enjoy these ongoing articles and that we're able to shed some light on the tireless work done by our RD's, highlighting all of the great events that make up our race series here in NB. So sit back, enjoy, and then go sign up for these wicked races!!
June 5, 2011 marks the first event on our race calendar. The Moncton Duathlon is truly a fan favorite, popular with all athletes for it's outstanding course, level of competition and of course, the prizes are not bad either! Race Director Marc Melanson gets the honor of starting off the season for us, as well as starting off our feature race focuses / RD interviews. So, without further ado...take it away Marc!
Tell us a bit about yourself and how you became involved with triathlon and the sporting community? Do you have a race background? Any key accomplishments or highlights you’d like to mention?
I've always been involved with sports and outdoor activities but career and family demands did not leave a lot of additional time in the early years. But about 4 – 5 years ago, I re-balanced my worklife environment and recommitted myself to running. When I first saw the Parlee Beach Triathlon, I said to myself “I can do that” and started to read books and magazines as well as pester a few local triathletes to better understand the demands of the sport. I really liked the mutli-sport challenge and variety of endurance training required to succeed. As I enter my 3rd season of training and racing triathlons, I have added volunteering and event organizing to round out my committment to the sport.
How did you end up in a Race Director role and how have you seen your race grow over the past few years? Care to share any exciting details about the 2011 event? Now is your chance to brag about what a great race it is and why athletes should come out to participate!
Last year, I was actively involved in the organizing committee for the Subaru of Moncton Duathlon race in June and this year became the RD while serving as the President of the South East Storm Triathlon Club. We strive to offer a well organized and broad race for all levels of participants, since the Duathlon is most often the entry race for many new triathletes. We want to offer a fast competitive race for the elite participants but also provide a safe and fun experience for all level of participants.
This year we are looking at providing a “special prize” for the person who finishes ”in the middle of the pack” - more details to follow. Also we are organizing a Kids Of Steel (KOS) event on the same weekend as the Duathlon to provide a family angle to our race. Also in the plans is a Try a Du, modelled on the Try a Tri concept for beginners.
What developments do you foresee in the triathlon and sporting community in NB in the coming years? Any trends that you see emerging or key areas of focus you would like sporting orgs like Tri NB to capitalize on?
The South East Storm triathlon Club is trying to grow our membership by providing new activities and events to create awareness for the sport of triathlon, as well as provide better support and coordination of activities for all level of participants. Our membership have told us they want more focused training sessions, access to coaching to improve some of their training and racing experiences. Another area of interest we are looking at is a spring weekend training camp to provide group training sessions in a friendly environment, as well as a mentoring program.
What keeps you busy in your spare time? Racing, mountain biking, family fun, travel, camping, reading, community / charitable involvement, watching movies…anything you’d care to share with us? Hobbies, musical tastes?
Golf is another favorite sport, but summers are short when training hard, so my handicap has slipped the past few years. Since I live near Parlee Beach, there are a lot of outdoor summer time activities to keep me busy, along with some beach volleyball with my daughters. Since I am an organizer by nature (Engineer trait) I am leading the Raging Bull Road racing team to the Cabot Trail Relay at the end of May 2011. Outside of the triathlon season, I plan to run one or two marathons, barring injuries.
Another passion of mine is brewing craft beers from either grains and hops or wort kits. I seem to have a lot of friends when the beer batches are ready for testing, but these same friends are no where to be seen when it's clean up time....
How is the 2011 race shaping up for you? Anything in particular you are focusing on? For example, increased participation, sponsorship, volunteers, etc?
The 2011 Subaru of Moncton Duathlon usually has a lot of interest since it's the first race of the season and attracts the new multi-sport athlete who does not feel their swimming skills are up to standard. This year we are looking at adding a Kids Of Steel (KOS) race the day before (June 4th) with a pool swim, local road racing and trail running. We think this will attract families for a fun and competitive weekend. Also we want to offer a Try a Tri entry level Duathlon (Try a Du) for those who just want to participate or try the sport.
Where can people find information about your race to sign up or contact info if they have questions?
Our club, the South East Storm Trithlon Club have a well developed and content rich website at: www.trisoutheaststorm.com. We have great participation with an active Board of Directors so we use our website to connect our members with programs, resources, training info and times, etc...
Our race information is also posted on www.atlanticchip.ca
Are you involved in other aspects of sport in NB or beyond the Province? For example, do you host any other races or participate on any Boards or race committees?
I am the Team Captain for the Raging Bull Road racing team to the Cabot Trail Relay at the end of May 2011. This is another organizing challenge for a unique and fun race. I am also the Assistant Coach for my daughters volleyball team competing at the under 13 provincial level.
How does your race appeal to youth and encouraging them to get involved in the sport?
We are always trying to find ways to attract youth to our sport. This years focus will be on the KOS event and other potential events.
Favourite pastime to relax and forget about the stresses of the day?
Drink beer and dream up new challenges...
Favourite food, drink, country / state visited and dream job?
Well I like Italian pastas, as well as spicy foods paired with good beers. Having lived in Europe for 10 years, I have fond memories of a lot of places I visited, but it's the fun times with special friends that made the memories. I don't think too much about a dream job since I see it as a journey not a destination... I really try to find the work-life balance.
Biggest pet peeve?
People not sharing the road with cyclist, or purposely trying to scare you when you are running opposite traffic... I also think NB should do a LOT MORE to encourage safe cycling as well as have proper road shoulders for biking. Example – they just re-built a culvert bridge near my home last year and did not provide a shoulder for pedestrians or cyclist – the road just narrows to match the narrow minds who designed this.
The one race I would like to complete in my lifetime is___________. Why?
Kona is the easy answer, but more realistically would be Penticton, ie Ironman Canada. But for fun and mixed vacation potential Australia or Europe would be great. Since my wife is from Sweden, I am planning to do a three event vacation, which includes a 300 K bike ride (Vätternrundan), 3 Km swim (Vansbrosimningen) and a local ½ or Full Marathon, if I can fit it in during the vacation.
The best race I have ever participated in was _____________________. Why?
Lots of races are good. Participation is my number one goal and well as local races which allow me to balance other activities with my family.
The thing I am most proud of is taking the initiative and living an active endurance training lifestyle – It's not easy, but if it was, everybody would be doing it.
The most important thing about my race I would like people to know is that all levels of competitors can have a enjoyable race environment to reach their goals. The Subaru of Moncton Duathlon offers a competitive environment as well as a supportive race for new multi-sport athletes honing their race skills for the upcoming season.
Any words of encouragement for those who may be thinking of racing but have not made the leap yet and are watching from the sidelines?
Be bold and take the first steps to enter the joys of a healthy and fit lifestyle. Set small objectives and strive to reach larger goals.
Who is your favourite athlete of all time and why?
I like the “unsung heroes” you read about who overcome adversity and obstacles to reach their goals. Such as 75-year-old Yutaka Kojima who has raced many Ironman, winning his age group and is also a full time care giver to his wife who has dementia. After reading stories like this, I stop complaining that training is hard and difficult. My life is easy compared to his busy days. There are other inspiring story of passionate amateur athletes who don't have the financial support of sponsors or training facilities, but they have determination!
Thanks for your time Marc and good luck with the Du in 2011!
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