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Bob would have been proud

A couple of surprise visitors to the 2004 Squamish Triathlon gave the event even more meaning than it has already developed in the past seven years.

A couple of surprise visitors to the 2004 Squamish Triathlon gave the event even more meaning than it has already developed in the past seven years.

Standing amongst the lively crowd of triathletes, volunteers and spectators at the starting area, two very special former Squamish residents were on hand to witness a legacy seven years in the making.

Having never been to the event dedicated to her late husband Bob McIntosh, Katy Hutchison stood smiling with tears in her eyes as she absorbed the atmosphere of the seventh annual Squamish Triathlon - a Memorial to Bob McIntosh. Her son Sam was on hand to fire the official starter's pistol, and 400 triathletes took to the waters of Alice Lake after he pulled the trigger.

For Katy Hutchison, being present for the first time in seven years gave her a chance to see what race organizers, and Bob McIntosh's friends, had built in memory of an honoured citizen. "It's overwhelming," she said after the race, "the positive energy and enthusiasm, and the old friends who've done such an amazing job creating a legacy. It's been wonderful to reconnect with some very special people."

Hutchison has been visiting high schools throughout Canada for the past year, offering students an hour-long multi-media presentation, "The Story of Bob". In the presentation, Hutchison describes how alcohol and other drug use, peer pressure, and misguided choices in an unchaperoned setting caused the tragic death of her husband Bob at a house party in Squamish on New Year's Eve 1997. She talks about respect, responsibility, risk-taking and knowing when to stand up for yourself.

Hutchison was impressed with the organization of the Squamish Triathlon, and what organizers have achieved in her late husband's memory.

"I've travelled around to a lot of races with Bob and I got a good look at what constitutes a good race - and the Squamish Triathlon is without a doubt a race that Bob would've been proud of. It's races like this that would've made Bob say, 'life is large'."

For Katy and her son Sam (his twin sister Emma was in Egypt and was unable to attend), the legacy of Squamish's annual triathlon was fully realized after the last racer crossed the finish line, when organizers decided to have a moment of silence to honour the man that inspired this now-great event.

For Hutchison, the timing was perfect.

"Bob always used to hang out at all the races and wait for the last finisher,' she said. "He would've truly been at a loss for words. It was a magic moment - such a Bob moment."

She summed up her experience with one final thought.

"I just want to thank Squamish, especially Jill and Pete Hotston, Ray and Anne Peters, Doug Race and Richard and Lois Cudmore for keeping Bob's dream alive."

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