Being Behind the Scenes This Time - Kanata Motionware Canada Day Road Races Written July 3, 2004 by Andrew Weston I have attended the Kanata Motionware Canada Day Road Races very year since I came to Ottawa (not counting the years I was away on vacation). This year was no different, even though I have been sidelined with a broken collarbone since the end of May. Instead of running I helped Joe du Vall and Gary Gilson as a volunteer. Never before have I done so many different jobs for a race event, and I sure had fun doing them all. I started my morning by dodging the thunderstorm to get to Earl of March High School before 7:30am. I started by helping Fiona McMillin at the kit pickup table, where I handled mainly 5km entries. I enjoyed this, seeing everyone coming in, and being to put a few more names to familiar faces, so that I can cheer for them in the future. Once the 10km rush was over, Gary directed me out to the start/finish line, where Joe quickly turned me into the pylon for the 10km runners to run around to start their 2nd loop. Then he gave me the bull-horn, and that was trouble! Honest, I was just holding it, not doing anything at all, and suddenly the siren went off! What! Is that me! Ok, now, how do I shut it off? So I pressed every button I could find, and was able to turn it off. Peter Jones, who was on the PA system, prattling away about the runners, the weather, advertisements for the sponsors and upcoming events, and generally adding some local humour to the proceedings, added teasing me about the bull-horn "can't trust him with anything" to his repertoire. But, I knew how to turn the siren on and off now, so I was able to respond to his jests. Presently the 10km runners started arriving at the turnaround, and I was kept busy directing them "Around the pylon! Hit the (timing) mat on your way out! Turn here! Nice hair!". I tried to vary my delivery and wording in order to not be too irritating. That kept me busy for a while, and I followed that by cheering the runners into the finish line (sans bull-horn, to everyone's relief). Once the 10km runners were all finished, I went out to The Parkway corner to move all the pylons to the side of the road for the 5km runners, and, once the runners were past, to move them all back into the middle of the road. Since I wasn't needed for marshalling for the 5km race, I went back into the school to get some sustenance, and while I was there, some runners told me that the showers weren't working. I asked Gary about it, and he said that the caretaker was around, and if I could find him, he should be able to turn the showers on. So off I went to find the caretaker. Fortunately, I found him quickly and he got the showers on. Yeah! So back outside I went. The 5km runners were already starting to finish, so I went and poured water and Gatorade at the finish line water station for a while, assisted by Nancy Morrison. Then it time for the kids races. The 100m tot-trot was first, and wow! what excitement and atmosphere for that event! How fun! Followed immediately by the 1.2km kids run. What a nice touch to have the police cruiser leading the out on their run! Again Joe employed me as a route marshall, making sure all the kids made the turn off the park path to the finish line. Fun and excitement was over the place (as well as some of the kids)! And at that point, it was now after 11am, and I had to leave (to go volunteer for something else, no less). I was so glad to be able to help out, and I had a real blast. Thanks to all the runners who chose the Kanata Motionware Canada Day Road Races over the 'big' event downtown that morning, and congrats to you for your fine efforts. Have fun, and I'll soon see you back out on the roads myself.