It may be virtual ... but it’s got positive vibe
Around the Bay Road Race has a new anthem to go with it
Right now, the reality is this: Virtual.
So, organizers and sponsors of the venerable Around the Bay Road Race are, like all of us, trying to make the best of it.
And so is Stan Wakeman.
For three decades, Wakeman has been providing racers with musical motivation as they head into the iconic 30K race’s notorious heartbreak hill, just a few kilometres from the finish.
He repeats a loop of Queen’s anthem “We Will Rock You” through a couple of huge speakers, which can be heard long before participants actually get to Wakeman’s waving encouragement.
This year Wakeman, though, is providing the inspiration online, as ATB must celebrate its 127th anniversary with a virtual race. Entrants choose their own course and any hour of any day between March 25 and April 25 to begin their trek. They submit their honour-system times, which will then be categorized online. And each participant has the usual online funding page.
Among new wrinkles for 2021 revealed by the ATB committee Monday morning was an on-route video featuring messages from three veteran and popular route-side cheerleaders, The Grim Reaper, Captain Obvious and Wakeman.
“It does feel like a loss. You can’t fully recreate the feeling, but it must be the same in all the sports,” says Wakeman, who on race day 2015 left back surgery recovery rehab at Hamilton General and jumped in a cab to his regular post.
“It gives me adrenalin. I get hugs, people are singing the words and pumping their fists when they get there. I don’t want to overdramatize it but I’ve had people crying when they see me. The nice thing is that they’ll have the construction on the Valley Hill bridge finished in time for next year.”
Lewis says that not having to deal with road-closure issues has a positive side, allowing ATB to add 2K, 10K and 15K races to the usual 5K, relay and signature 30K events.
A new promotion called “The Hammer” will provide medals and T-shirts to anyone who finishes all five individual races. Playing on the city’s universal nickname, the shirts depict a hammer striking five nails symbolizing the distances.
“The ATB is an iconic race,” says HOKA account executive Scott Myers, account executive with running shoe company HOKA, which sponsors The Hammer. “I’ve completed it 12 times and I’m looking forward to this one. You don’t have to get up early to get to the start, you can choose as flat a route as you want and there’s no lineup for the porta-potties.”
Another added feature is a new race anthem, the touching “Round the Bay,” written by Newfoundland roots singer, Abigale. After her manager told her about his experience running the Hamilton 30K, they contacted Lewis.
Some of the lyrics were adapted to further localize the song and the chorus hits exactly the right mood:
The race’s core charity is St. Joseph’s Healthcare Foundation, which has raised an accumulative $4.5 million in its 16 years as a partner. The Canadian Cancer Society, Teach For Canada, Autism Speaks Canada and Cassie & Friends are also 2021 partners.
“The Bay Race has done a great job,” said Carrie Trembinski, director of communication for St. Joe’s. “We think supporting mental health at the time we’re all concentrating on just coping with the longterm effects of physical distancing, the financial impact of the pandemic, not seeing friends and family, will resonate with people.”
In normal years, about 9,000 people enter the in-person relays, 5K or 30K events. So far, 1,500 have signed up and registrations usually begin increasing with the official kickoff.
“Really, I think everyone wants to be positive,” Lewis says. “And enjoy what we can of this experience.” Steve Milton is a Hamilton-based sports columnist at The Spectator. Reach him via email: smilton@thespec.com