1,603 athletes – a record number – pre-registered for the Huntsville Ironman 70.3 Triathlon this July, officially making it the most successful weekend in the eight-year history of the event in Muskoka.
Complete with sunny skies, smiling spectators, and a long list of things to see and do in addition to the triathlon itself – from the bathtub derby at the Rotary DockFest, the IronKids race, waterside yoga, and the Muskoka Coffee Dock swim – it was a great time to be in Huntsville.
Once again, our town was showcased as a beautiful, fun, and lively destination to thousands of visitors from around the world against the backdrop of the triathlon. As usual, none of it would have been possible without the support and dedication of a legion of volunteers, who helped out with everything from offering medical attention to athletes to handing out water and Gatorade.
“We could not hold an event like this without the volunteer support, they are crucial,” said Myke Malone, General Manager of the Ironman Muskoka Experience Committee. “It takes hundreds of volunteers and, as always, Huntsville is great for that. You ask for support and people put up their hands and ask where they can help. The success of so many events in this area, not just the 70.3, is due to the volunteer support we have in our community.”
The 70.3 triathlon wouldn’t be possible without the support of volunteers such as Jill Winter (left) and Andrea Kovac, who staffed the Fowler water station on Main Street
Hosting a strong and well-executed triathlon this year was made even more important given that it occurred under the scrutiny of Ironman Canada, who along with town council mutually agreed this past January to cancel the remaining two years of a three-year deal for the full Muskoka Ironman. Additionally, the 70.3 was awarded to Huntsville on a one-year contract, with no guarantee of hosting the race again next year, and no small amount of pressure on the organizers and volunteers to put on a great show.
“I think the community response this year was one of the best that I have ever seen in support of the 70.3,” said Malone after the weekend. “Locals and spectators really embraced it far more than I have seen in the past. That’s a clear message that Huntsville is a triathlon community and would love to see a full Ironman come back in the future.”
While the reasons for and against hosting a full Ironman in Muskoka are complicated and involve determining a way to reduce the expense on the Town while increasing the profitability of the event for Ironman Canada, in the meantime the 70.3 feels like the right fit for the area.
According to organizers, the triathlon had a projected direct economic impact of $750,000 over the race weekend, as evidenced by packed hotels and bustling shops and restaurants along Main Street. The spill-over effect of exposing thousands of active couples and families to the heart of Muskoka is much more difficult to measure. How many memories and friendships were made in Huntsville that weekend, and how many millions of dollars will they be worth to the local economy as first-time visitors return to the area in coming years?
There is also a call to move the 70.3 back to the weekend following Labour Day, when it was originally held prior to being rescheduled to make room for the Muskoka Ironman last year. This would amplify the economic impact of the triathlon by bringing visitors to the area during a ‘shoulder season’ instead of in mid-July when the town is already busy.
Now that the event organizers, coordinators and volunteers have done their job and the triathlon is over, it’s up to Huntsville’s town council and Ironman Canada to come to terms on a new agreement to bring the 70.3 back next year.
“That’s a call for town council, obviously they have an appetite for triathlons in Huntsville,” says Malone. “The volunteer base is there, but whether they come to an agreement is beyond my control. That’s a decision between council and Ironman Canada.”
Despite the success of the weekend, not all of the volunteer experiences were positive. Pam Carnochan, a long time supporter of the Ironman, raised concerns regarding a lack of training that put both athletes and volunteers at risk during the event. Pam was assigned to direct traffic downtown during race day, an experience she found harrowing as she was responsible for the safety of the athletes and pedestrians without receiving proper training.
“It’s something I had never done before, and it wasn’t right for the organizers to ask us to do something like that,” says Pam. “If someone got hurt I could have been sued.”
Pam was eventually replaced by a police officer who directed traffic for the remainder of the event, but still felt the overall organization of the weekend was below what it had been in previous years, with more expectations and less appreciation for the volunteers.
“My husband told me I’m not allowed to volunteer again next year,” she says sadly.
Don’t miss out on Doppler! Sign up for our free, twice-weekly newsletter here.
I do hope the 70.3 will return next year. It will be sad for Huntsville if it doesn’t. Pam, do not let your husband discourage you. The finish line is a great place to volunteer. You get to feel the wave of excitement as each participant crosses the line! Don’t let one bad experience ruin the event for you! Cheers!