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Sept. 9, 2003 - X-Endurance Thank you
A big "thank you" to all volunteers who came to help during the third annual X-Endurance weekend held in Ottawa on September 6th and 7th. Their contribution was steady all the way. The volunteers were: Helene Soucy, Jan Riopelle, Inga Petri, Jim Shearer, Gavin Thulien, Ray Vermette, Frank Larue, Pascale Messier, John Fray, Nancy Zukewich, Tracy Hart, Rosemary Strober, Maria Ludlow, Lyle Adams, Alex Perrie, Daniel Dutrisac, Linda Mcdonald, Gay Stinson and Bob Thicke. They help to keep time, count laps, set race courses, supply food, register, give directions, promote the event, host out of town skaters and much more. Since 2001, this event has grown each year and it is due to the increased number of volunteers.The weather was excellent and the number of participants, was amazing. The marathon on Saturday night drew more skaters than expected. I want also to thank all of the participants who skated one of the events of the weekend. Without skaters there is no event...
Here's are some of the highlights:
1) 5 skaters participated in all 5 events: Michael Lachance, Pascale Messier, Inga Petri, Bernard Doth (Roller-Montreal) and Stephane Tremblay. (Inga, Bernard and Stephane are the only skaters who participated in all events for the 3rd year in a row). These 5 skaters skated 130k in approximately 5 hours over 5 events covering a 24 hour period.
2) Following the 5k team prologue, the 20 minutes + 3 laps criterium resulted in a fight between 4 skaters: AJ Perrie (Northern Roller Sport), Benoit Joubert (Toronto Inline Skating Club), Sergio Calva and Stephane Tremblay. With 2 laps to go AJ broke away but was passed by Benoit a few meters before the finish line. Sergio and Stephane were 3rd and 4th.
3) The Saturday evening marathon brought more than 30 skaters together. Said Rahim (Roller-Montreal) managed to finish first after a long 21k breakaway. His finishing time of 1h17ms is probably the fastest marathon ever recorded at Asticou. Sergio and Stephane worked together to catch Said, but the pace was too fast. Sergio finished second and Stephane third. On the other hand, the three first women were decided in a 200m sprint won by Beth Mansfield followed by Jacquie Raetsen (Toronto Inline Skating Club) and Pascale Messier. Rosemary Strober of OISC, completed her first marathon. Congratulations! Many skaters managed to have a personal best on the distance.
4) 16 people came to the Newport restaurant on Saturday night.
5) The marathon in the Gatineau Hills held early Sunday morning is the most challenging event of the weekend. Only 5 skaters were able to complete the full distance: Michael, Stephane, Daniel Dutrisac, Bernard and Pascale. Michael skate his marathon on the North Loop while the other skated on the Mica Junction loop. In a solo skate of 35k, Stephane finished the marathon distance in 1h33m. Eleven minutes after Daniel, Bernard and Pascale completed this exhausting event.
6) Once again the chili, the salad and the sandwiches were very appreciated by all participants.
7) Almost 20 people showed up at the last event of the weekend - a 30k skate along the Aylmer bike path. It was pretty amazing to see all of these skaters wearing helmets, skating safely and making a terrific noise when crossing bridges.
Stephane Tremblay, X-Endurance organizer
