Cumberland Fall Colours race weekend is a mixed bag of every event you could ever imagine. Please note events on the banner and that is just for the running divisions.They also have duathlons which are held on Saturday.
This is held every Thanksgiving weekend at the very scenic Cumberland Heritage Village, which depicts life in rural Ontario circa the 1930's.
The setting is spectacular when you have fantastic weather like we had this weekend and it is very much a family event. There are a lot of things for the teeny tiny's to keep busy with and the farm animals love all of the attention, plus there is a cute little park area for them to scream and shout in. This of course is where I hung out (just kidding) while looking for Vava and his family. Young Owen was in his first chipped, bibbed, big boy race. With little information of who exactly I was looking for, I pretty much accosted any male over 6' 2" with children in tow.
Short of someone calling the police for this insane woman saying "are you Vava? You're tall and with kids"....I gave up looking for him. Maybe next time more of a clue would help, or I'll just hang out at the finish line listening for father's yelling at their kids to run faster!!
This year, I was still on my hiatus from running, but many of my friends were there competing in the Half Marathon and one of the Wooo Hooo's significant other was tackling his first marathon ever!
(some of my Running Room friends getting ready for their Half and Full Marathons)
Now, trying to be positive here, I would never slag an event intentionally (well, maybe just a little), but when I think of a Boston Qualifier race, shouldn't there be timing mats at the beginning of the race???
Nope, no mats, no announcement that the race is going to begin, just stand near the pig pen, that's the start line, everybody ready???
Last year I ran the half marathon and it was a nice race, but not one that I would do again, but what the heck I'll go and support anyone who wants to run.
Okay, while I'm on my soapbox, could they not have a food concession stand available for the spectators / support people? There was nothing!! Some of these people (a large majority) had kids and pets with them and they were going to be there for hours waiting for their loved ones to cross the finish line.
There was no water, no juice, no coffee and no food for anyone other than the runner's who by the way, got chocolate milk and chili! Yup, I'd want to eat that after running a marathon....come ON! Maybe in my subliminal mind I remember all of this from last year!
Well, after re-reading that little paragraph I suppose I did slag the race....oooppps sorry!
Luckily I had packed an apple, orange and power bar into my purse, which really came in handy while I waited and chatted, then someone showed up with Tim Bits and a jug thermos of coffee....
My camera was put to good use and and so was my little bell, (not a cowbell, darn) and I happily sat in the sunshine and waited for the runners to arrive. One by one they huffed and puffed and sweated their way past me, some with smiles, some with grimaces...but Roger came along with one HUGE grin on his face as he completed his first marathon in the time of 4:11:47 in the men's category of 55 - 59!!
Way to go Roger!!
The general consensus is, although very picturesque it certainly wouldn't be a "must do" race for next fall.
Because I just might be in Grand Rapids with Vickie, Jan and Chia!!!
Life's fun if you don't weaken,
Lily
