2016 Banff Marathon: Brendan Airey’s Race Story

It was a very wet, cold, and—evidently—windy morning in Banff Alberta for the 2016 Banff Marathon, Half Marathon, and 10K. Despite the conditions, Brendan Airey was extremely confident and as the morning unfolded becaming increasingly excited at the possibility of not only a PB, but a lofty 1:31:xx half marathon time.

By the time the 10K front runners finished, the rain had let up, the clouds started to get some highlights, and the temperature elevated a degree or two. All signs pointed to perfect conditions for Brendan to hit his goals. Unfortunately, while in town, we had no idea what the wind was going to be like…

It only took one or two pedal strokes after Brendan made the turn at the half way marker, when I realized what kind of battle he was in for. The headwind slapped me in the face as I struggled to get going on my bike—camera’s flapping in the stiff breeze to my sides. I felt foolish for not realizing we had a tailwind out of town…I thought my legs were pushing the bike that fast. Definitely not the case.

Despite the headwind all the way back into town, Brendan looked strong—holding his form right through to the final push. It was an impressive performance to watch, despite the slightly slower time than anticipated. But as the runners around him started flailing about, Brendan held form.

Enjoy Brendan Airey’s Race.Story!

It was a wet, cook, and windy race day in Banff Alberta on Sunday June 19, 2016 in Banff, AB Canada.It was a wet, cook, and windy race day in Banff Alberta on Sunday June 19, 2016 in Banff, AB Canada.
It was a wet, cook, and windy race day in Banff Alberta on Sunday June 19, 2016 in Banff, AB Canada.It was a wet, cook, and windy race day in Banff Alberta on Sunday June 19, 2016 in Banff, AB Canada.
It was a wet, cook, and windy race day in Banff Alberta on Sunday June 19, 2016 in Banff, AB Canada.It was a wet, cook, and windy race day in Banff Alberta on Sunday June 19, 2016 in Banff, AB Canada.It was a wet, cook, and windy race day in Banff Alberta on Sunday June 19, 2016 in Banff, AB Canada.It was a wet, cook, and windy race day in Banff Alberta on Sunday June 19, 2016 in Banff, AB Canada.
It was a wet, cook, and windy race day in Banff Alberta on Sunday June 19, 2016 in Banff, AB Canada.
It was a wet, cook, and windy race day in Banff Alberta on Sunday June 19, 2016 in Banff, AB Canada.It was a wet, cook, and windy race day in Banff Alberta on Sunday June 19, 2016 in Banff, AB Canada.
It was a wet, cook, and windy race day in Banff Alberta on Sunday June 19, 2016 in Banff, AB Canada.
It was a wet, cook, and windy race day in Banff Alberta on Sunday June 19, 2016 in Banff, AB Canada.It was a wet, cook, and windy race day in Banff Alberta on Sunday June 19, 2016 in Banff, AB Canada.It was a wet, cook, and windy race day in Banff Alberta on Sunday June 19, 2016 in Banff, AB Canada.It was a wet, cook, and windy race day in Banff Alberta on Sunday June 19, 2016 in Banff, AB Canada.
It was a wet, cook, and windy race day in Banff Alberta on Sunday June 19, 2016 in Banff, AB Canada.It was a wet, cook, and windy race day in Banff Alberta on Sunday June 19, 2016 in Banff, AB Canada.
It was a wet, cook, and windy race day in Banff Alberta on Sunday June 19, 2016 in Banff, AB Canada.It was a wet, cook, and windy race day in Banff Alberta on Sunday June 19, 2016 in Banff, AB Canada.It was a wet, cook, and windy race day in Banff Alberta on Sunday June 19, 2016 in Banff, AB Canada.It was a wet, cook, and windy race day in Banff Alberta on Sunday June 19, 2016 in Banff, AB Canada.
It was a wet, cook, and windy race day in Banff Alberta on Sunday June 19, 2016 in Banff, AB Canada.
It was a wet, cook, and windy race day in Banff Alberta on Sunday June 19, 2016 in Banff, AB Canada.
It was a wet, cook, and windy race day in Banff Alberta on Sunday June 19, 2016 in Banff, AB Canada.It was a wet, cook, and windy race day in Banff Alberta on Sunday June 19, 2016 in Banff, AB Canada.It was a wet, cook, and windy race day in Banff Alberta on Sunday June 19, 2016 in Banff, AB Canada.It was a wet, cook, and windy race day in Banff Alberta on Sunday June 19, 2016 in Banff, AB Canada.
It was a wet, cook, and windy race day in Banff Alberta on Sunday June 19, 2016 in Banff, AB Canada.
It was a wet, cook, and windy race day in Banff Alberta on Sunday June 19, 2016 in Banff, AB Canada.It was a wet, cook, and windy race day in Banff Alberta on Sunday June 19, 2016 in Banff, AB Canada.
It was a wet, cook, and windy race day in Banff Alberta on Sunday June 19, 2016 in Banff, AB Canada.
It was a wet, cook, and windy race day in Banff Alberta on Sunday June 19, 2016 in Banff, AB Canada.It was a wet, cook, and windy race day in Banff Alberta on Sunday June 19, 2016 in Banff, AB Canada.
It was a wet, cook, and windy race day in Banff Alberta on Sunday June 19, 2016 in Banff, AB Canada.
It was a wet, cook, and windy race day in Banff Alberta on Sunday June 19, 2016 in Banff, AB Canada.It was a wet, cook, and windy race day in Banff Alberta on Sunday June 19, 2016 in Banff, AB Canada.
It was a wet, cook, and windy race day in Banff Alberta on Sunday June 19, 2016 in Banff, AB Canada.It was a wet, cook, and windy race day in Banff Alberta on Sunday June 19, 2016 in Banff, AB Canada.
It was a wet, cook, and windy race day in Banff Alberta on Sunday June 19, 2016 in Banff, AB Canada.
It was a wet, cook, and windy race day in Banff Alberta on Sunday June 19, 2016 in Banff, AB Canada.It was a wet, cook, and windy race day in Banff Alberta on Sunday June 19, 2016 in Banff, AB Canada.
It was a wet, cook, and windy race day in Banff Alberta on Sunday June 19, 2016 in Banff, AB Canada.It was a wet, cook, and windy race day in Banff Alberta on Sunday June 19, 2016 in Banff, AB Canada.
It was a wet, cook, and windy race day in Banff Alberta on Sunday June 19, 2016 in Banff, AB Canada.It was a wet, cook, and windy race day in Banff Alberta on Sunday June 19, 2016 in Banff, AB Canada.
Studio portrait of three Jody's, each wearing a different colour of hat, t-shirt, and sweater

Jody Bailey is an Edmonton Alberta Canada based travelling photojournalist, and has been telling stories since he started walking. Follow @3oh6 on Instagram, Twitter, or...ugh...Strava.

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