Dear Editor,

As most of you have heard in 2013 Whistler be will the new home of Ironman Canada.

As someone who has spent the last 12 years living and breathing this sport, I can tell you if you are planning to be here get out and volunteer.

Ironman is a epic and inspirational journey not only for the athlete, but for all of the family and friends who support them and all of the thousands of volunteers who come out and make the event a reality.

Ironman is not just a sport for the elite, though they are amazing to watch, it is the sport for the person who overcame cancer, suffering from ALS, who only has one arm or leg, who lost someone close to them, the double lung transplant recipient and the person who just wants to see if they can complete it.

With over 2,000 athletes planning to compete next August, our town will be full of triathletes from all over the world. It will be a very exciting time and it will be an opportunity for our community to come out and support each person on their own personal journey to becoming an Ironman.

I have been both a competitor and volunteer, so I know what it is like to have someone greet me in the morning and write numbers on my body, help me take my wetsuit off after the swim, someone to lather my arms and face with sunscreen, hold my bike while I use the porta pottie, hand me a drink, banana, gel and ice cold sponge, take my bike and rack it for me before I start my run, cheer me on when I am feeling low, and finally catch me as I cross the finish line and stay with me grabbing me drinks, pizza, and if needed, medical support.

You have no idea the impact that you can have on one person through this long day. As a volunteer you will get to meet some amazing people and know that every athlete you help out and cheer on could not have completed the day without you.

Christine Suter

Whistler