Marathon Roller de Montréal 2011, 6th edition.

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Comment by sk8crazy on July 19, 2011 at 12:14pm

Philippe, as part of the small skating community here I just wanted to say I thought both you, Nathalie and your volunteers did an amazing job on Saturday.  Unfortunately I was unable to skate but was there on the sidelines cheering everyone on.  From that viewpoint as spectator I thought the venue was excellent.  I was able to see the 42km race unfold from the first stride to Olivier's final stride to cross the finish line, to the sprint between Sergio, Peter and Mark.  It was interesting and exciting watching the tactics of those in the lead pack lap by lap.  There couldn't have been a better venue.

Thanks to you, Nathalie & the volunteers for all the hard work you've done to ensure that there is a race for even our very small community.  Hopefully next year I'll be able to skate. -- Christine --

Comment by Philippe Candelier on July 19, 2011 at 9:53am

Thanks for your great summary of last saturday race. It was a pleasure setting up that even for our skating community. There is lots of chance that next year event will be at the same spot.

Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is a great track for sure, but they have show no interrest this year to work with us. We are probably still a too small event.

This year we have been able to build an exellent team of volunteers. We will continue working with them along the next months  to eventually bring a larger event next year.

Hope to see you all next year!

Comment by Mr. T on July 17, 2011 at 8:05pm

The 2011 Montreal event was interesting: a new course that is both very safe and quite smooth and a new weather. After experiencing cold, wind, rain/snow the previous two years, I am going back with a nice sunburn. Quite unusual for someone who has lived in Los Angeles for 3 years now.

Montreal, as usual, is a very pleasant city to be in: plenty of things to see and do, plenty of good foods to be had, interesting neighborhoods, the two languages, etc.. etc..  Unfortunately, traffic was quite bad, but my relatives explained to me that one bridge was closed for emergency works and that threw the city in a small carmaggedon of their own.

 

While I liked the event and enjoyed the new track, I still feel that this event belongs to the Gilles Villeneuve track as at Park Jean Drapeau it really feels like you are in Montreal, but considering our numbers, I am nonetheless thankful to Philippe and his team for putting on this event. 

 

Attendance was low in my opinion. I would say around 100 skaters. The heat however was very intense with temperatures well into the 90F when the half marathon took off. First time in a long time that I needed to constantly pour water over my head to cool the "engine".  I had relatives who came along to try the half marathon or the family lap but decided against it the very morning after realizing how hot it was. That is too bad: this event does not seem to be able to catch a break with the weather, unfortunately: one way or another we end up always at the extremes.

 

My only criticism perhaps is that the event should have been completed by 10am or 10:30am..  Otherwise, I  have nothing to complain about and quite happy I was there. I did my race: I started training 3-4 weeks ago after a 9 month break and there is no short-cut to rebuilding endurance, technique, etc.. so I came here well aware of my limitations. I did one fast lap, but then I paid the price.. still I had good moments with nice speed, etc.. etc.. just my body could not cope well with all that heat. I pulled alone for almost 3 laps closing many gaps, but then I had nothing left and was forced to wait for other skaters to come along and skate with them..

 The lap is only 3km hence there is plenty of lapping which is annoying when it takes place outside of the two straights as you basically need to pull to the side and wait for the fast skaters to go by or you risk a collision. In general I like loops as I can time myself on the same loop over and over and check my heart rate/speed/etc.. knowing that it is under the same conditions. That being said, I am also aware of skaters who hate these short loops or loops in general. 

 

I still do not get why this even does not take off as it deserves, but I am afraid that our numbers are dwindling everywhere and MOntreal cannot be expected to be any exception. In addition, the weak USD is probably keeping more US skaters away. I saw very few US skaters this time. In the group I skated with the language was always French. Likely I do understand some of it and hence I was not 100% clueless.

 

All in all a nice event. Thank you Philippe. I just hope that you and your crew will succeed to bring the event back to the Gilles Villeneuve track. 

 

Comment by sk8crazy on July 4, 2011 at 7:24am

Philippe, we will be there for sure even though we've not yet signed up.  We've got a hotel booked in Saint-Jerome for the night before.  It's about a 20-25 minute drive from the track.  Unfortunately I won't be skating because of the patellar tendonitis in my left knee, BUT Joel will be skating the full.  Looking forward to being there and seeing all our skating friends.

Comment by Philippe Candelier on July 3, 2011 at 4:07pm

The teack is going to be a brand new experience for all skaters. The loop is 3.2km, asphalt new from last year. There is about 800 meters of a straight that is made of ciment.
We have no recommended hotel close to the track, but you can seach for an hotel in Laval, that is 10-15 minutes drive from the track.
The track is quite far away from Blainville city center and i am not aware of any public transportation.

Comment by Ben Hall on July 3, 2011 at 2:46pm

I'll be flying in after a week of work in Vancouver. A couple questions if anyone has experience in the area and track:

 

- What's the surface like?

    a. Apostle Islands smooth (ideal in any condition)

    b. NYC 100K smooth (tolerable but not ideal)

    c. A2A Dekalb Avenue smooth (teeth shattering gatorback)

 

- Are there recommended hotels near the track?

    - If so is there public transport?