Somersault testimonials

testimonials

The Canadian

Just wanted to add my thanks for the exceptional organization behind The Canadian this past Saturday – the event was possibly the best organized event I have participated in – Somersault is going from strength to strength. Dawn

Hello,

I just wanted to send a note of thanks to all the volunteers, athletes and spectators that were so supportive during my Iron distance race.

I was the clumsy athlete that crashed on lap 3 of the bike course, just past the gatorade bottle pick-up. Despite a fair bit of pain I decided to carry-on, my husband was still out on the course and we had driven 15 hours to get to the event, so I didn't want to quit unless I really had to.

The volunteers on the bike course kept an eye on me after that and cheered me on each time I got through another lap. On the run I found if I held my arm to my chest it was more comfortable but this had everyone thinking I was nauseous! Once I explained the bike crash and the sore shoulder, a hunt began to get me a sling. One aid station was very creative and made me a lovely sling out of an orange garbage bag, it was very comfortable but made me sweat like crazy! This was eventually replaced with a triangular bandage. The volunteers were wonderful at every aid station, since I now only had the use of one arm they walked with me and held the water cup while I ate my powergel, they peeled bananas or just provided encouragement. The fellow athletes were also very supportive with lots of encouraging words along the way.

This race was not my first Iron distance race, but it will definitely be my most memorable, and despite the extra pain along the way, thanks to everyone out there, I still had a fun day.

Thanks for a great event,
Shawna

PS: I had an x-ray done when I returned to N.S. and I broke my right clavicle when I fell, but the doctor didn't think I did any further damage by finishing the race. He did however think I was crazy.....but that goes without saying if you're doing Iron distance races :)

What a great event you put on! London Police sent 10 participants down to Ottawa for the various Tri's and it was great. We met with officers from Durham, Windsor, Kingston, Toronto and the Armed Forces. I have yet to tally the amount raised but everyone was very impressed with the organization that went into your event. The weather was great and the route was excellent. People were barley passed the finish line when they were began talking about the event they wanted to do next year.

Terry, simply put a great event and we'll see you next year for sure and hopefully bring some more people along.

Thank you very much. I have nothing but praise for your organization.

Jim
London Police Service - Cops For Cancer

Just wanted to say thanks for organizing such a great event on Saturday. Everything went incredibly smoothly. I especially liked the car-free bike course (not easy to find in Iron distance races!). The bike course and run course were incredibly scenic and really showcased Ottawa. everyone was very friendly and helpful. I look forward to this race growing in future years, but I hope it never loses its great "small town" feel!

Thnaks again,
Mark

First of all, let me say THANK YOU for a great experience. You ran a top notch operation. The people you have working with you were fantastic. I don't think I ever stopped smiling from beginning to end. I never once thought I would not make the finish line. Kevin

Just got home to Long Island and and wanted to say you and the volunteers put on a great race. Even if I didn't set a new PR by 2 hrs 12 min and win first in my age group I would say the same thing! You see, normally I'm just a back of the packer.
The people were friendly, venue was awesome and it was a first class event. Myself and our gang from the Runners Edge Triathlon Team will see you next year.

Best Regards,
Russ

I just wanted to say thanks for a great experience this past Saturday. The organization was wonderful considering you had so many races going on at the same time. The volunteers were great, too! But most of all thank you so much for offering the long distance duathlon races. Please keep this tradition going in the years to come. There aren’t many of these races around, particularly in the east, and having your race as a goal enhanced my training, and, ultimately, my health immeasurably this year. Although Ottawa is a pretty long slog from Connecticut, I hope to be able to join you again in the future.

Thanks again and be well,
Jay

Just wanted to thank-you so much for organizing a terrific race! It was my second year competing and it is totally worth the trip from London. The race is so well organized, the venue perfect and the volunteers absolutely amazing! Amy

I wanted to drop you an email to say thank you. This past weekend I competed in my first Half Iron distance as well as my first Somersault event. Though I'm a fairly new triathlete, having only been participating in this sport for two years, I have competed in a fair number of events across Ontario. Your event this past weekend was one of the best organized events I have ever attended. From the pre-race newsletters, to race kit pickup, the excellent aid stations and bottle exchange, the fantastic volunteers, scenic course and the excellent finish in the Terry Fox Athletic Facility, your event was top of the class, A+.

Thank you for making my first Half Iron distance event such a memorable one. I will definitely be back for more Somersault events.

Caius

First of all - thanks for a great triathlon event! I am always amazed how well your events are organized - especially considering the number of participants and the range of distances in The Canadian. For me, everything went really well and I particularly enjoyed the track finish! Michaela

What can I say WOW, this was my first ever event, I was competing in a Rogers television try a try I can't believe how well it was organized and how nice everyone was at this event. To say that I was anxious would be an understatement but a young man that was holding that mornings orientation was really cool and funny and has put me to ease about the whole experience. I am going to be there next year (hoping for a half iron distance) and definately any other even you are organizing.

WOW what a great day.

Marko

"Somersault Productions' Canadian Irondistance race is a winner! Its a perfect first Irondistance race for anyone. It was fantastic and inspiring to have all my local friends and family come cheer me on live and see all aspects of the race unfold at no expense! The friendly atmosphere, helpful volunteers and great organization make this race one that Ill consider doing each year. I recommend it!" Glenn

Just a few words about the race this past weekend. WELL BLOODY DONE OL"BEAN!!!!....you know me... if I have an issue I would tell you but I cannot fault all the hard work and results from this race. ALL the volunteers were (as usual) outstanding in their passion and excitement of being at the race somewhat more than he competitors themselves I think. The t-zone was well laid out, the water stations plentiful and the overall running of the race, smooth. For my first IM, I can only hope that I can go to other IM races and say that they were run as successfully as the race you and Christine put on this past weekend.

I had a blast. It was a hard day but the volunteers really helped out a lot. I noticed the support right from the getgo. During the swim I went off course and a kayak came over to direct me back. Then I noticed a few of them swim beside our group from orange marker to orange marker. For somebody like me who has vision problems this was a big help. During the run I started to fall apart and the OAT members on the bikes came to shout incouragement and I would bear down and start going again and do my little shuffle. It helped me finish the race.

I was also impressed how well you policed the transition zones and protected our bikes and equipment. Nice to know that wasn't an issue as coming back to missing stuff would have been a heartbreaker in the mental state I was in.

From the perspective of a racer....you guys were amazing! Everything went off smoothly and for the first annual... I couldn't believe it. I expected much more problems/chaos....there was none. Everyone was so helpful and friendly that I felt like I knew everyone. Thank you again.

From the volunteers perspective, I had a blast. The prep was exciting but I went back to the 2nd Run Aid Station for the last 2.5 hours of the day. There I found 6 people still hanging out in the dark, watching for the next glimmer of a white bib to come moving out of the darkness. I asked if anyone wanted to leave because I could stay. Really only 2 people are really necessary for the few runners left. They all want to stay and watch George, Allen, jujube girl and coke and water guy. They all wanted to ensure all the participants made it to the end. Amazing!

Then comes Dev with the last guy. He is the saviour in this man's mind since he forced him to ingest something/anything. Suddenly with some energy he was able to start moving forward again. Dev tried to stay with him as he continued out to the 5 K turnaround but his legs were so tired from his own race and then helping all afternoon/evening he couldn't keep up the new pace. Dev also grabbed some nurition and started his long lonely 2.5 K back to the finish line...for the 2nd time today.

What a great group of people we have in this community.
Thank you Terry and Christine for allowing us this opportunity to share this experience.

Terry, I am sure you have heard this a million times but wow, what a great day on Saturday – organization was fantastic… well done to both you and Christine for putting on the event…Mooney’s Bay Park is a great venue, lots of space in the t-zones, well orchestrated and thought out - thoroughly enjoyed my time both on Friday night giving out kit bags to Saturday racing the half (well the pain on the last 5kms of the run I could have done without!!!) . Hope you run it again next year…

Once again many many thanks!
Dawn

My husband and I came up from Vermont to do the Iron distance event and we thought you should know you did an awesome job, especially for a new race and a very long day. We really loved the venue, what a beautiful place to race! The volunteers were great. They were really enthusiastic and the announcing at the bike turnaround was very helpful in the motivation department also. Thought you should know how good a job you did. We have raced tri's since 87 and have 12 irondistances under our belt, almost half of those are Ironman races including Kona .

Ironman races are always going to be there, they are, as it stands now, a gold standard in the sport. They are not however, the only game in town; thankfully. If you can't ever think about qualifying or have no interest in traveling and racing and spending thousands of dollars again after your qualify, then professionally organized, smaller lowkey races are just as much (maybe more) fun and yours was just that-----FUN. We got to race, met some really nice people and your postrace breakfast was wonderful. Thank you all for all your hard work.
Dot Martin

Hello Terry,

I just wanted to say ...Well Done! The race weekend was awesome and sure to grow in the years to come. I was a little nervous when the iron distance was introduced because I anticipated a bit of congestion especially on the bike. But all went smoothly. Your volunteers were outstanding,...cheering to the very end,...even when we were finished and heading to our car,...one gentleman volunteer told us how amazing we were.

This was the second Canadian 1/2 that I have done ...last year I was suppose to complete it with my friend and training partner Stacey but a welcomed pregnancy, a move to Vancouver,...and other challenges prevented us from completing a race together,...until this weekend,...As it was my second event and her first,...my top priority was to encourage her through the race. We were able to run in together and picked up another first timer from Newfoundland,...It was a great finish,...they were so proud of themselves. The announcer exclaimed,...we have covered the whole country,...Cornerbrook NFLD to Vancouver BC. Hugs and some tears were abound.

Thanks for an awesome event and good memories!

Cheers,
Kala

Hi again, Terry and Christine!

I’ll start this one at the end – at the awards breakfast. This was one of the most moving events I have ever been part of... ...as for the race itself, it still boggles my mind that you could “entertain” 900 other athletes that day and still manage to cater to the iron-people without compromise.

We got our own little neck of the t-zone woods, the start was electric, the aid stations were superbly stocked and conducted, and the finish line scene was a blast. I stayed right until the very end, mostly because I wanted to see Alan make it in safely, and those few hours were a real highlight of the day. As I told you that night, it added a lot to the experience that we were a small group and that I recognized the vast majority of the finishers. We covered a lot of tightly-constricted ground together, and all of the nods, smiles, and words of support and encouragement came home to roost as I kept seeing face after face after face from the toils of the day, happily crossing the finish line. I can’t really imagine leaving another iron race any earlier than is absolutely necessary.

The t-zone is in a fabulous location, much more comfortable than on Hog’s Back road. It was great having the lap counters call out our bike splits, although I was triple-fortified with my watch, my bike computer, and 12 little yellow stickers on my aerobars, one of which I removed at the Hog’s Back turn each time through. The special needs areas worked great --- although I didn’t even use the run one. Why, you might ask? Because you were true to your word about what would be at the aid stations. I took my first cola very early, at the aid station closest to the far turn, and that was kind of a gamble because when cola runs out it’s tough to keep that sugar spike at stable levels. I had Pepsi in my s.n. bag, but didn’t want to stop for it unless I had to – and I didn’t have to! I didn’t have to stop for anything, in fact, and it was mighty fine having a tray held out to me with pretzels, banana sections, and CarbBooms on it each time through the far aid station. The chicken broth was also a real treat. Anyhow, you did a fabulous job stocking the stations, and the volunteers at all three of them were superb – among the best I have experienced in a race, anywhere.

So, it was a great day, a special day ---- really beyond the scope of words. IMLP last year was a high, but The Canadian was vastly more personally satisfying on many levels. Maybe someday I’ll be better able to articulate this more completely, but for now this is the best I can do.

As always,
Steve Bradley

Dear Somersault;

I couldn't be happier after completing the Canadian 1/2 Ironman event with you last weekend. It was my first 1/2 Ironman and it just couldn't have been a better experience for me. I'm absolutely thrilled. The course was very spectator friendly making it an ideal event for my family to attend and provide support and motivation during the event. That's not to mention all the other spectator support. And a huge thank-you to all the volunteers. It amazes me how you can run that many events at the same time and do such a great job of it !

Thanks for everything,
Anne Blimkie