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RFH 2010
Editorial: Duathalon Succeeds for Many Reasons ... Including Fun!
Sunday's heat Up Hamilton Duathalon was a wonderful success for several reasons, not the least of which was that it was conceived with an eye on everyone having fun, and it worked!
There are two types of people who live in Central New York:
1. Those who look forward to the first snow, who dress warmly and plunge headlong into the coldest day with an honest smile and who find something fun and invigorating to do from November to April (often May, sometimes June).
2. Those who have not lost their minds.
On Sunday, the first group of people made the rest of us a little bit jealous. The first Heat Up Hamilton Duathalon attracted more than 100 competitors and sent everyone of them home with a warm feeling about the event and the village. Therefore, unlike a previous high-profile proclamation punctuated by these words, the duathalon can rightfully claim, "Mission accomplished!"
The Heat Up Hamilton Duathalon was a success on every level and deserves to be nurtured, grown and supported for when the snows of 2011 fall.
Heat Up Hamilton succeeded for several reasons:
1. It grew out of one man's plan to create something fun. That was Charlie Melichar's goal, and it was a good one.
2. It had realistic aspirations. From his earliest conversations about the event, Melichar said, "Whoever shows up, shows up." He was not seeking or expecting a cast of thousands.
3. It was well organized, well run and had the skiers/runners as its focus. Numerous participants praised the organization, the course, the conditions of the ski course and the post-race food and friendship.
4. It was about the event. Period. Unlike many events in Hamilton, this was not meant to attract shoppers to retail stores. It was created for the athletes ... many from elsewhere who went home with good feelings about Hamilton. About a third of the participants were Colgate students; a third were local folks and the other third was from elsewhere, people who came here just for the duathalon. Perfect mix!
5. Finally, a lot of new faces did much of the heaviest lifting. Some of the usual suspects pitched in, but it was good to see others involved. And, it was nice to see Colgate, the village and the merchants/restaurants be supportive.
Charlie Melichar will deflect the praise and thanks he so richly deserves. He will focus the spotlight on others. But, he cannot deny the fact that Sunday's Heat Up Hamilton Duathalon was a success because he wanted to have fun staging it and wanted those participating to have fun as well. Thanks, Charlie, it was fun.