I would be spending the day running the lost and found but sadly spent most of the day watching the Triathlon as no one seemed to lose anything,
As I said this was the inaugural Osoyoos Lake Loop Triathlon and was a part of the
Three Lakes Triathlon series which was to take place at Cultus Lake [which ended up being canceled] Osoyoos lake and Penticton. The Race Organizers were not new to Triathlons and have been involved in helping organize countless races through out the years. I hope Osoyoos continues to be a part of the
3 lake Triathlon series.
This was my second time volunteering at a Triathlon and I had a much better experience this time around. Previously I had worked on a food station where I was trying to hand off food and drinks to people as they whizzed by on their bikes. Sad to say I was not so good at that but this time around I was extremely good at my Job as Lost and found person!
The morning started off with the athletes starting at the Swim course. All of the 106 athletes were doing slightly different things as some people were doing a Single Swimming Loop, other's were doing two and we even had a relay team, meaning certain members did each part of the course.
Which leads me to one of my favorite moments of the race. With 5 minutes left before the swimming portion was going to end we had two swimmers still on the course. Each one had a fair distance to go before reaching the shore. Everyone started cheering for these last two people like crazy to get them pumped up and make it back on time. For the final two we also had one very dedicated fan wade into the water to help both of these athletes cross the Finish line of the swimming course!
I am happy to report that all of the athletes completed the swimming portion of the triathlon and all made it onto the Bike portion. Which is sort of where my portion of viewing the race ended as I was moved from the swim/bike location to the end of the triathlon and given a spot by the finish line.
So I too got to travel along the Running path as I walked along to my new station. I even shared the course with the lead athletes who had finished the biking as I had set off for the end of the course.
At this point it was still fairly nice outside albeit it was still fairly early in the race!
I made it down the Running course just in time to watch the first few racers finish the race!
Shortly after I witnessed the first few people finish the course I was once again moved. This time it was a spot I would spend the rest of the afternoon at. I was very well treated as a volunteer with people making sure I had a shady spot to sit, was staying hydrated and drinking plenty of the free water, and had something to eat. Eventually as the day went on I was joined by many athletes and their supporters comprised of friends and family.
Around 1 p.m they held the Athlete's medal ceremony. Where several medals were handed out including having a full podium for one of the oldest age groups for Male Athletes! Congratulations to everyone who helped make this event a success including volunteers and of course athletes! I hope this is the start of a continually successful annual Osoyoos event!
