8/12/2019 Experience Subaru IRONMAN Canada with Style (This Week In Whistler)

1/1

Bytobias c.vanVeenSPECIAL TO THE PROVINCE

The IRONMAN. The wordbears repeating, for there isnothing on this planet quitelike it. The Subaru IRON-MAN Canada, which takesplace July 27 in Whistler,stacks together three testsof prowess in three athleticdisciplines swimming,

cycling, and running fora single dayof all-outendur-ance over some 226 kilome-

tres of hard-fought course.Its also a ton of fun to

watch. Half of the fun is theVillage, which is stockedwith booths of specializedgear, including branded wa-ter bottles and beer mugsso that, even if youre notracing, you can at least looklike you did.

Race morning begins with

a 3.8 km swim in Alta Lake,which tends to average about20 degrees Celsius (-though

thats unlikely at the crack ofdawn),witha freshwatermass-start. With laps complete, therace begins for the beach andthe rst transition in RainbowPark, where triathletes scram-blefromwetsuits tocyclingkitand try to avoid ashing thefullmontyto family.

Leaping onto their car-bon steeds, the newly

hatched cyclists commencewith a muscle-burning 180km ride from the steep Cal-laghan to Pembertons atsand back. The nal leg is agruelling uphill return toWhistler. Spectators withsigns and lawn chairs cheeron racers as they pass by.

The nal stage features 42kmonfoot,asracerspistontheValley Trail in a loop throughthe Village and Lost Lake Parkto Green Lake, poundingtheir

feet tothe nish.And it all culminates at

the nish line, where spec-tatorsemotions run highas

competitors cross the n-ish line. As evenings glowgraces the upper anks ofWhistler, the Valley roarswith appreciation for nish-erswho are ghting tomakeit before the midnight close.Each nisher is a telling taleof survival against all odds.

As they approach the n-ish, each athletes name is

called out over the speakers,the announcersaying yes,you are an IRONMAN. Withthose golden words, crowdandnisheralike break downinto tears of joy and criesof celebration. Singing anddancing, clapping and cheer-ing, the nal nishers cor-ridor is cathartic for all, withgood vibrationsechoing deepinto thenight.

To planyour tripto Whistlerduringthe Subaru IRONMAN

Canada, visit www.whistler.com/events/ironman fortravel tips, course informa-tion,and spectator tips.

WHISTLERPRESENTS

Endless Entertainment

1.800.WHISTLER

WHISTLER.COM/EVENTS

UPCOMING EVENTS

July1820| Pemberton, BC

PEMBERTONMUSIC FESTIVAL

Getreadyto danceallsummer nightlongwith thestarsat

thisextraordinary festival setin themountains justnorth of

Whistler.

July27| In and around Whistler

SUBARUIRONMANCANADA

Cheeron theathletesas they tackle oneof thetoughest

triathlonsin theworld andbe a part ofthe triumph atthe

nishline nextto WhistlerOlympic Plaza.Getyour VIP

ticketsatwhistler.com.

July31Aug4| VariousVenues

WANDERLUSTWHISTLER

Celebrate wellnesswhen yoga andmusic cometogether in

themountains. Yogisfromaround theglobe willbe down-

dogging,dancing,diningand sharing theirwisdomat this

amazingevent.

Aug13| Dustys Bar and BBQ

BULLEITBOURBONCANADIANNATIONAL

BBQCHAMPIONSHIPS

Watchlocallegendsandworld champions goheadto head.

Enjoy familyentertainment,sample some ofthe best BBQyou

willevereatand enjoy free music throughout theweekend.

Visit whistler.com/events forthe full calendar of events.

Experience Subaru IRONMANCanadawith Style

eco-exhilaration

eco-exhilaration

Brilliant!

located inside theCarleton Lodgeacross

from the Whistler Village Gondolas604.935.0001

1.866.935.0001ziptrek.com

locate

d inside the Carleton Lodgeacross

from the Whistler Village Gondolas604.935.0001

1.866.935.0001ziptrek.com

NOWLO

NGER

,HIGHE

R

&FASTER

THAN

EVER

BEFO

RE!

ThisWeekInWhistlerSPECIAL INFORMATION FEATURE

PHOTO BY NILS NILSEN/IRONMAN

VAN01176044_1_1

A14 THEPROVINCE.COM TUESDAY, JULY 15, 2014