What happens on Race Day?

So many have asked what happens on Race Day?  Well Towel Boy is up early making sure there is food and caffeine available for his racer.  We will head to the starting point and register early so Janet can get wet and stretch out while Tom paces the beach like a Kentucky Derby Owner, of course with camera in hand.

After registration and warm-up it is just about the wait.  Athletes stretch, bend, and focus on the horizon, while slowly slipping into their zone.  It is key at this point for a towel boy to keep a low profile and get set for the all important start photo.

The sound of a horn and the water erupts with these endorphin junkies running to take their first strokes.  They swim parallel to the beach and then around the point at Maho.

Now out of view for the bystanders the focus shifts from the swimmers.  It is during this period the most important part of Towel Boy's job occurs.  On St John one of the rarest things that you will encounter on your visit is a parking place.  So while Janet enjoys her swim in the blue water looking at all the beautiful things that live under the sea, it is time for Towel Boy to bust a$$ to the finish line to grab a parking place.

Thanks to the News of St John web page you to can take the same ride that Towel Boy has to make to snag one of those elusive parking spaces.  Click on the link and hold on!  Turn up the sound as Kenny takes you from Maho to Mongoose Junction.  The golden parking spot will whiz by at about the 2 minute 20 second point of the drive.   3.5 Miles by water and about 6 miles by road, Towel Boy is on edge the whole way... Will there be a parking spot?  Last time after the 2012 swim, I got one in the shade - and that is MONEY!!!!
 
Then it is time to find some shade for Towel Boy.  I will quietly sit and stare out into the blue sea and wait... and wait... and wait.

 

If all goes well my sweetie will run out of the water, under the sign, and into my arms with a smile on her face.  A towel, bottle of water, and a big hug will be waiting for her.

Towel Boy can now relax!  The pressure is off.  The smell of Burgers and Chicken permeates the beach as the after swim party gets into gear.  Each finisher, whether they swam the 1 mile or 3.5 mile has a story, and those of us who waited for our love ones listen in admiration.  That is what happens on Race Day.