Steve Vosburgh takes the lead

Our events rely on thousands of volunteer-hours, and we’re always trying to find the right fit to engage and reward volunteer efforts. We struck it rich this winter with Steve Vosburgh, who you may or many not have seen out on the course as our lead cyclist at three races so far!

We caught up with Steve to help you get to know him, and explain what he’s doing out there, so you know what’s up for the next race, Waterloo Classic on June 19.

Let us know about your running profile.
Still running strong for thirty years now (my first race was the 1995 Waterloo 10 KM Classic). Not racing as much anymore but when I do it is typically a 1/2 marathon in early March to celebrate my birthday. I have been cycling in the triathlon world (raced duathlons) for twenty years but no longer race.

What made you want to get involved in lead cycling?
I had never done lead cycling, or even considered it, until you approached Mark Cullen of Limitless Performance asking if he knew of anyone that would be interested in riding out front for this years Re-Fridgee-Eighter. I cycle all year round so the winter weather doesn’t bother me and thought it would be a fun way to be part of the race and also give back , in a small way, to the run community and all the great work that Run Waterloo has done over the years.

What’s it like with LP?
Being a part of LP Endurance since January of 2022 has been an amazing experience! I have been mentoring / coaching triathletes, cyclists and runners for the past twelve years and the LP
athletes have presented me with a new, and welcome, level of challenge and excitement. They are all, without exception, a very welcoming, accepting, supportive and motivating group, regardless
of ability and years of experience. If they weren’t this way I would not have accepted the coaching position.

What have you learned about lead cycling since February?
I wouldn’t say I have learned anything since February but have definitely been reminded of a few things. I had forgotten how exciting, contagious, intoxicating and uplifting the race atmosphere can be and how happy and excited everyone is to be there, whether it be as a participant or the family members cheering on their favorite athlete. I always get really excited about the cross-section of people participating in the runs, from elite athletes to the runners new to the sport and, maybe, doing their first race. This type of attendance at the Run Waterloo events attests to hard work that has been done to over the years to help people aware that running isn’t just for elite athletes … IT IS FOR EVERYONE !

As a coach one of the most rewarding parts is helping and guiding new athletes through the start of their journey and seeing the pride that they take in their improvement and achievements and we can see that pride at every race. It is also a reminder, and something I never forget, that we all started at the beginning! This keeps me humble about my abilities and what I have achieved in the sports of running and cycling and it helps me with putting people at ease as they are entering into the sports and any intimidation that may go with it.

Any fun anecdotes from the course?
I find it humorous at how many people forget their left from their right. I’ll be coming up behind runners and shout out them asking them to move either to the left or the right, which ever is appropriate for the course, and a surprising number of runners who move the opposite way from what I am asking. It is sort of fun, though, yelling out again “no … your other left “ and we all have a chuckle as we pass each other and they always get a thank you from me. This is a good example of why it is important for me to keep my distance between the lead runner, myself and runners we are about to pass at just the right gap. I noticed very quickly at the February race that if I left too much of a gap people would step back to where they were once I passed
them potentially getting in the way of the lead runner. Okay, then, I guess I have learned something after all.

What are you looking forward to for June 19?
As I motioned , my first race ever was the Waterloo Classic , and it has been quite a while since I have run this race , so I’m excited just to be able to return to an event that I have enjoyed so much over the years and to participate, and help out, in a fun capacity.

What are you carrying with you and wearing on course?
Being the avid cyclist that I am and riding all year round I pretty much have it all and all the safety items that are a must. Specifically as lead cyclist, I have a high visibility vest and flashing lights on the both the front and rear so people can see me coming with the lead runner and the lead runner can easily see me and the route they have to follow. I also have a bell on my bike so I can make runners that the lead runner may be lapping aware that we are coming, along with me shouting, in a nice way of course, to move out of they way to allow the lead runner an unrestricted path.

Thanks to Steve for your help and your enthusiasm! Although he cycles in front of the lead runner, this gets the ball rolling for every runner in the race. Having a lead vehicle + race official is part of the sanctioning criteria for Athletics Ontario, and we are super happy every time Steve clips in!