On the weekend on June 11th and 12th 2011, members of the Coast Emergency Communications Association traveled to the west coast of Vancouver Island to provide race and emergency communications for the Edge to Edge Marathon
This annual event drew over 800 runners this year from Canada and other nations. The marathon and relay segments of the race started in Tofino. The half marathon started in Ucluelet. The race course included portions of highway, sandy beach, residential areas and land within a national park.
Working in concert with ham radio operators from the Nanaimo Amateur Radio Association, North Island Amateur Radio Society, the Comox Valley Amateur Radio Club and Ucluelet radio operators a total of 19 hams manned 14 checkpoints. Specific assignments related to safety and race organization were also handled.
Due to the topography a portable repeater was set up for the race. UHF and VHF frequencies were used to coordinate operations.
The weather cooperated, the scenery is always beautiful in this area and race went off without any serious events. All in all a great learning experience and a lot of fun for those involved.
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