Canadian National Adventure Racing Championships
Interview with Jonathan Geisler, Race Director
Doug Doyle / 30.05.2006
I was lucky to be able to schedule a few minutes with Jonathan Geisler, Race Director to interview him for Sleepmonsters.ca. His role is diverse as it is unique: he is responsible for the Canadian Adventure Racing Championships in every aspect of the race from the logistics of administration, finance and transportation, to field operations, communications, safety, marketing and media relations.
He is fortunate to have a committed race staff assisting in his role, which gives him some free time to concentrate on the race and what the teams are doing in the field.
He is multi-tasking as we speak, fielding questions from support crews and race staff, answering his cell and satellite phones and trying to eat breakfast at the same time.
Jonathan starting to relax a bit at this point as the first stage is over and the second stage is in progress. His pre-race jitters have been replaced with the ongoing management of the event and ensuring all CP’s are in place, the support crews are properly briefed and are able navigate to the transition areas and the racers are safe on course and making progress.
He was so impressed by the amount of support from the Mattagami First Nations Reserve and how they opened their community to the race, the time they spent planning to ensure the racers and staff visit was a joyful and successful one. He noted the Chief felt the racing community also embraced his band and after the smudging ceremony at the start of day ones’ sprint race, he felt connected to the event and will travel to Timmins to see his racers cross the finish line.
Jonathan: “It’s community support like this that keeps our organization running. This race would not take place had it not been for the Mattagami First Nations Reserve, or the City of Timmins and other communities the racers will visit during their race.�
He also recognizes the sponsors that have partnered with the race: the City of Timmins, FedNor Canada; Xilarate Sports Power Fluid, the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund, Ontario Tourism Event Marketing Partnership Program, Timberland Outdoor Performance and a host of others.
Jonathan noted that most people do not realize the amount of preparation that goes into a race such as this: planning starts a year in advance and continues up to, during and after the race. “The mental and physical demands required from the race staff and volunteers, not to take away from the racers performances, is huge. They won’t get a lot of sleep, they’ll work long hours and many of our volunteers have taken time away from their jobs or scheduled vacations just to be here to help out. It’s amazing dedication.�
Jonathans’ time with me was short as he was called away to deal with a last minute issue, however I will attempt to pin him down again for a future interview as the race progresses.
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