Athletes pleased with race's venue change news-press.com |
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As they crossed the finish line during the 19th annual Tour de Cape, several athletes said they were thrilled this year with the change of venue. The two-day cycling, running and walking event — which is organized by the Cape Coral Parks and Recreation Department and sponsored by The News-Press — previously began and ended at Rotary Park. This year, more than 800 participants hit the pavement for the event at Cape Harbour. After they completed Saturday’s 5K run/walk and Sunday’s bike tour, several famished athletes headed to Cape Harbour restaurants to refuel. Jeff Gately, a partner at Rumrunners and The Joint at Cape Harbour, said he rode in several 100-mile biking events during his younger years and understands why runners would be pleased with the proximity of restaurants to the finish line. “Too many times when we finished a ride like this we had to jump in a car and find a junk food stop along the highway,” he said. After their sporting events, participants relaxed at Cape Harbour, listened to a live band, chatted with fellow fitness enthusiasts and took advantage of free, on-site massages. “All of the feedback I’ve gotten from the riders was that this was the best (Tour de Cape) ever,” said Todd King, special events coordinator. He said Cape Harbour will likely host the event again next year. Sue Tetrault, 65, said she had never participated in a race before but decided to walk in the Tour de Cape 5K with her husband, Paul, partly because the couple lives at Cape Harbour and the location was convenient.
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Anne Carney, 69, who lives in Chicago part of the year and in Cape Coral the other half, ran in her 10th Tour de Cape 5K this year. Just before the race, Carney — who runs three times per week and cross-trains two days a week — said her strategy was simple: don’t worry about keeping up with the younger people, who sometimes sprint at the beginning of the race. Thirty-five minutes after the start, Carney crossed the finish line with a smile on her face. She said she enjoyed the camaraderie of the run. “The community comes out and we’re all running and walking — it doesn’t get any better than that,” she said. Approximately 48 minutes into the 3.1-mile run/walk, the audience cheered as two of Tour de Cape’s youngest runners darted across the finish line. Dan Schultz said his daughter Sarah, 7, has participated in approximately 10 5Ks and Tour de Cape marked the fifth for his son Davie, 6. “It’s a good atmosphere for the kids, families and even adults,” Schultz said of the event. “It gets you off of the couch.” Tour de Cape this year increased family participation with its inaugural “Family Fun Sunday,” where families participated in a 7-mile bike ride as other cyclists pedaled through 15-, 30-, 66- and 100-mile rides
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