CanadaMan 2017 - Courage, Solidarity and Lac-Mégantic

Chris Stirling / 18.07.2017

So the first prospective addition to the AllXtri World Tour took place in Lac-Mégantic, Quebec last weekend, I was lucky enough to be a part of it and the icing on the cake was managing to win it.

I certainly did not expect this but after a great race 3 weeks before at Celtman, if I managed to hold my form I thought it might just be possible. I knew plenty of strong, fast and experienced Canadian athletes would be racing, as well as some guys from Europe, other countries around the world, so all I could do was enjoy the experience, do my own race and give my all. If that was good enough, awesome, if not it would still be an amazing experience. I had a fantastic support crew in Vasilis, Lauren, Stuart and Stephane so my part was kind of easy, swim, bike, then run.

The first thing I always notice about Xtri races is the relaxed and friendly vibe around registration. I always think the extreme nature of the challenge ahead brings competitors closer, from the front of the field to the final finisher you are all in the same boat. Just reaching the finish line is the first goal, PB’s, splits and previous performances become irrelevant due to the terrain and conditions thrown up by mother nature. I got this feeling from the start in Lac-Mégantic, it felt like an adventure was on the cards.

It was amazing how the local community had got behind the race and this played a significant part in setting the scene for the moonlight start at 4.30am from the beach. At the athlete’s presentation, local children from the school formed an arch and clapped us through, faces painted with the flags of all the nations taking part and we were given bracelets as a gift.  Written on these where the words; ‘Courage’, ‘Solidarity’ and Lac-Mégantic.

The Friday before the race was the 4th anniversary of the rail disaster that devastated the community and these words had significant meaning to the local community as they rebuilt the town and their lives. From this moment on it became more than just race. As we walked the torchlight memorial boardwalk, the ‘Walk of the Winds’ to the start of the swim, locals had come to clap us to the start line, I felt inspired, welcomed and honoured. We gathered under the moon and stars at the swim start and soon it was time to race, the horn sounded and we were off.

The swim start in the dark was fantastic, with the temp around 19-20 degrees it was a very pleasant journey to T1, 3.8km away. It felt a long 3.8km but I was soon out and ready to hit the bike.

The 180km bike course packs in over 2500M of climbing, constantly rolling up and down. No switch backs, just long straight roads so you see each climb coming a mile off. This leads to some seriously exhilarating descents, all you can do is tuck in go as fast as you dare!

I played my usual plan, ride hard to pick up some places then settle in to my own rhythm, nothing I’ve not done in training. Sitting in 2nd place around 125km disaster struck, I got a puncture, luckily my support crew was close by and we fixed it.  At that point I thought I had lost the front of the race and would probably not see them again.  However I felt great still so just got back to task, refusing to give up, looking at the bracelet we had been given at registration. Courage!  I caught 2nd place around 10km before T2, passed him then saw 1st place as I came into transition. The race was on. Perfect!

With the top three so close together I knew I would have to give everything on the run and fight as hard as I could. The first 33km of the run are a mix of very hilly road running, dirt roads and 4x4 Land Rover trails in beautiful countryside.

This helped take the pain away a little, as well as my support crew’s encouragement and the local support along the course. I moved into 1st place after 2km, but knew anything could happen. Around the 20km mark Jerome Bresson had closed the gap on me to 30secs, just as we hit the trail. I thought he would pass but I just kept hammering, never looking back. My support shouted he was walking some hills, so I pushed harder into the hills.

The soft trails played to my strengths. By the time we hit the next bit of road, Vasilis told me he could not see him anymore, just 8.5km of technical mostly uphill running remained between me the finish.

At that point I knew I had done it, the very technical, muddy and wild final 8.5km would suit me. I met my support runner Stephane, he was amazing and made sure I drank and ate. I loved the final trail on this course, some beautiful view points amongst the vast thick forest and wet muddy trail. I felt at home, even when being bitten by strange flies and cramping due to the roots and rocks I could only smile. The last 2km I could feel my body starting to wobble, I have never dug quite as deep in a race before.

The finish line at the summit of Mont Mégantic was fantastic, I couldn’t wait to share it with my support crew. I was a little overwhelmed and shed a tear or two approaching the line. It had been an amazing experience from start to finish. I really felt part of something bigger than a race, a family, with competitors, support crews, local community and the race organisation. It takes a special place to create this and the town of Lac-Mégantic, after all they have been through, did this, so thank you all.

The course is beautiful, hard and feels wild, the local community are welcoming, enthusiastic and behind the race, the organisation is second to none. It’s very hard to see how this race will not become a classic on the growing Xtri calendar.

Thank you to the people of Lac-Mégantic, you are an inspiration.

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