Run for It #17 - Steve King - From Athlete to Esteemed Commentator and Writer
Run for It #17
Steve King - From Athlete to Esteemed Commentator and Writer
In today's episode of the "Run for It" podcast, we're thrilled to feature the iconic Steve King, renowned for his role as the voice of the finish line, sharing his rich narrative of announcing events like the Royal Victoria Marathon. Your host, Rob Reid from Frontrunners Victoria, delves into the dynamic world of running and endurance sports, uncovering behind-the-scenes stories of various races, the extraordinary athletes who participate, and the indispensable contribution of Steve to making each occasion unforgettable. Tune in to this captivating discussion that embodies the essence of the running community's spirit.
Rob Reid [00:00:20]:
Hey, it's Run for It. And I'm Rob Reed. Great to have you here again today. Today, sort of a special day. We've got somebody that knows you, somebody that has said your name numerous times. Someone that well, I can't believe we could just talk for an hour on his resume, on the things he's done from movies to hosting, broadcast to announcing at races to doing triathlons, doing race rocking. It's unbelievable. I spoke to a dear friend of mine, Stefan Jacobsen, in Nanaimo this morning, and I said, anything you want to ask Steve King, who's here with us today? And he said, I don't know how he does it all. And that's that's really what we're going to dig into today.
You know, if we look at the awards Steve's won over the years, Interior Running Association Award, Citizen of the Year in Penticton, where he lives with his dear wife, Jean. Ken Gary Founders Award, Good Citizen Award, Downtown Rotary Club. Best Local Male Athlete 2000 Local Sports Award. President's Award Frontrunners Walk of Fame. I remember that one down here in Victoria Athletics B.C. Hall of Fame Inductee. Sport B.C. Kids Sport Community Hero. Lifetime Achievement Award. Triathlon. B.C. Canada. So anyway,
Steve's been around the block, so to speak, when it comes to running his you know, to run it to 36 is enough. This guy's practiced what he's preached by running some of the best marathons for his age group in Canada. Like and then he's done he's gone over the top. He has run races that nobody else, hardly in North America or Canada specifically or locally has done in B.C. He's done the Comrades marathon in South Africa, which is just the pinnacle of ultra events, 56 miles. Finishing seventh in the Masters the year he did it. Just a phenomenal event. So, Steve, great to have you here today.
Steve King [00:02:11]:
Thanks, Rob. It's a pleasure to be with you.
Rob Reid [00:02:13]:
Yeah. Now, let's jump to the like, comrades. I mean, that must have been an amazing year in 1999 when you did that. Was that something you sort of put a 12 month plan together to be able to say, I'm going to go out and run this 56 miles?
Steve King [00:02:29]:
Well, actually, it was a 25 year dream. It was something when I was living in England that I had hoped to do one day. And here in Canada, you know, you even further away. And so the dream didn't leave me, but it was as a result of a gentleman who talked to some people. I imagine, you know, that the athletes and the next thing I know, a gentleman sending me a check for a couple of thousand dollars and saying, you know, please go and fulfill your dream. And at that point, it was like, wow, okay. So I told my wife, okay, this is what we're planning. And I had to qualify. So I went and did a qualifier of it and that went well. And the whole event was something so special. I truly believe it is the greatest ultra distance running event in the world in terms of the adventure of it. But the challenge of it, but the spectacle that they put out there is just magnificent. Yeah, just you. Anyone who has that dream to try and fulfill it.
Rob Reid [00:03:28]:
Yeah. So just for the layperson like myself out there every other year, it's a different course. So it depends which way. And then the other way.
Rob Reid [00:13:53]:
Yeah, that's fantastic. And so 135 miles in Death Valley, what what what was it like? What was it like to experience that run? I mean, you've done lots of races, but that one's a little different, right?
Steve King [00:14:04]:
Yeah, well, first of all, I'm going to plug two things. Number one, I had my daughter as my book, as my sponsor on the shirt. That's great. So that was nice. That helped me so much because it meant I had to be honest and get to the finish line, even if I had to crawl, which I didn't want to do. But that kept me going. The other thing was just getting to the start line. You had to have your crew go up and film this and submit the film to be approved to run the race.
And so that was a hassle, just getting all the material and finding a decent video camera and so on. But we got the footage and so that was a huge accomplishment just to be able to do that. And then when you start the race and you start in a little town called Lone Pine and you go up to the Portals and it's almost 14,000 feet and you get to the start line and it's a 10:00 at night. It's dark. It's very cold.
And when you start the race, you can see all the runners ahead of you because they've got glow sticks. And in the distance, it's pitch black and all you can see is like a string of pearls going up the mountainside. It's stunning. And it was it was really quite a spectacle to be a part of.
Rob Reid [00:15:06]:
Now, is that an annual event or is it more frequent?
Steve King [00:15:09]:
It's held annually. It's always held in the middle of July, which is obviously the hottest time of the year for Death Valley. They've now changed the course a little bit. When I did it, we went up to the Portals and then came all the way back down again. Now, I believe they go up to the Portals and then they continue to go further on. And so the temperatures get up to around 130 degrees Fahrenheit, sometimes hotter.
And they tell you in the race meeting, if you stop for more than 30 seconds, your race is over. And there are medics on on mountain bikes riding up and down the course. And when they see someone stop, they will go to them and say, are you okay? And if they feel that you are not, then they will tell you, your race is over. So it's brutal. But if anyone has the opportunity to do it, I say, grab it. You will never forget the adventure.
Rob Reid [00:15:55]:
So are there races that you haven't done yet that you're looking forward to? I mean, you've done a lot. Is there anything on the bucket list that you're thinking, yeah, I want to do that one?
Steve King [00:16:06]:
Well, there are a couple that I've got on my list. I mean, I have a bad habit. My wife says I never know how to say no to a race. So there are three that I've got on my bucket list. There's one in the UK, which I think it's called the Dragon's Back and it's over the falls, over the mountains. And so that's very high on my bucket list. The other two I've got is a race called El Cruce in South America. And then the other one is the Ice Ultra, which I think that's in Norway or Sweden. It's way up north. It's like a 230 kilometre race. So those three I'd love to do.
Rob Reid [00:16:39]:
That's fantastic. Well, it's great. I mean, we've just caught you at a time when you're in Victoria, so we're really fortunate. Thanks for coming in. I mean, I know we're going to chat more and we're going to have you back on the show. We're going to be doing it again soon. And I really appreciate your time today, Steve.
Steve King [00:16:54]:
I look forward to it, Rob. It's been a pleasure. Thank you.
Rob Reid [00:16:56]:
Great. Okay. We'll see you soon.
Rob Reid [00:21:48]:
And so when you're at the finish line, you've got this board, and you've got all this information. How do you decide who to talk about, who to feature? I mean, there are so many runners coming in. What's your process for deciding who gets that spotlight?
Steve King [00:22:02]:
Yeah, that's a great question because a lot of people ask that and they say, how do you decide who to speak to? And I say, well, it depends what your goals are, you know, if you're the first lady across the line, if you're the first overall athlete, then obviously you're going to get some attention. But if you're a first-timer, then that's going to be special as well. And so the more races you do and the more events, you see people who you say, oh, my goodness, I remember the first time that person did the marathon, the first time they did the half or the marathon.
I remember some people who did the marathon and then went on and did the Comrades marathon. And it's amazing. And so those are the people that I really appreciate speaking to because it just shows how much this event means to them. And so I do try to get a good mix of people and sometimes I'll interview someone. And the point being is they may not be the fastest people. But that doesn't mean they're not special. They are very special. And they're special in my eyes.
Rob Reid [00:22:56]:
Yeah. And I think that's a great approach because it's not just about the elite runners. It's about the stories and the personal achievements and the journeys that people have gone on. And that's what makes these events so special.
Steve King [00:23:07]:
Absolutely, you know, I have a saying at the finish line that I often use, and that is everybody is a winner. Some people just finish faster than others. And that's what I like to try and get out. And, you know, in 2019 we had such a young gentleman named Noah Leach who was doing the half marathon. And I had him on the stage and I said, Noah, do you know that this year is the 30th year since your dad, Gary Leach, passed away from the event? And he didn't know that. And so I said, you know, what does this event mean to you, having seen your dad do it every year and his brother Luke would be doing the marathon? And he said, it means everything. So that's the kind of story that you try to share and hope that, you know, this will be an event that will still be around for the 100th year.
Rob Reid [00:23:51]:
Absolutely. And it's those personal connections and those stories that really make the event memorable for people and create that sense of community and family around these races.
Steve King [00:24:02]:
Absolutely. I mean, it's a very special event, and I think that's why it has grown and it's grown because of the people and because of the organisation. It's a very well-organised event. It's an event where, you know, you've got it's easy to get to. It's a beautiful venue, you know, it's on the ocean. There's lots of things for the runners, the athletes to do while they're here. And there's lots of accommodations, you know, you're not left to your own devices to find a place to stay.
Rob Reid [00:24:28]:
Absolutely. And I think the way you bring those stories to life at the finish line is a big part of what makes it so special. And speaking of events, you know, you've announced a lot of events. You've been a part of a lot of races. Are there any standout moments or events that really stand out in your mind as being particularly memorable or special?
Steve King [00:24:48]:
Well, there are a lot. And of course, the start of an event is always something special. I mean, it's a great thrill for me to be able to say, you know, we're just minutes away from the start of this Royal Victoria Marathon and all of the Queen's horses and all the Queen's men. Well, I suppose the queen would have a dragon these days.
And you'll be dashing down Douglas Street very shortly. So hang on to your dragons and all of that. And you're sort of looking around and people just do what you say and and and it's a great privilege. I remember one year we had the three rugby players from Canada, Jeff Williams, Gareth Rees and Al Charon, and we were getting ready to start the race.
And I said, well, you know, just before we start, I'm just going to have a little chat with these three gentlemen. And it just went over really well. You know, they were great. But there have been times when, you know, a terrorist incident or something like that has happened. And so we have to be a little more cautious. But, you know, that doesn't really take away from the moment, I don't think, because, you know, the athletes are focused and they're not really thinking about those things. They're just thinking about their goals. And I think that's what's so amazing about it.
Rob Reid [00:25:59]:
Yeah, absolutely. It's that focus on personal achievement and the goals and the community coming together. And that's really what makes these events so special.
Steve King [00:26:09]:
Absolutely. I mean, there are so many special events. I mean, I think, you know, 9/11 was a really special one, you know, I was doing the cycling part of a race in Toronto and I just finished the start and I was announcing on the bike and the race director came up to me and said, you know, you better know, this plane has gone into one of the twin towers in New York. And so I was kind of shocked and I thought, well, I better go and finish the ride because I had to be at the next transition for the swim start.
And then by the time I got there, the race director told me the second plane had gone in. And so there was the actual first triathlon in North America. It's called the Niagara Falls International Triathlon. And that became a great event. And a lot of the athletes from around the world said, you know, we really want to do this because, you know, you have the falls at the end, you go right across the falls. And so that became a very special event and a big challenge as well, because, you know, you've got to cross the Rainbow Bridge, you know, so to speak. And so those are things that you remember. I mean, I remember doing Iron Man Canada one year and we had a 5.9 earthquake. And so that was that was a bit unnerving, I think,
Steve King [00:28:56]:
Yeah, that was a documentary that was done by Cam Sylvester, who's a local athlete here, he's a triathlete. And he had done Ironman Canada numerous times and he'd set up his own business, but he wasn't overly happy with it. And so he thought about the things that he loved to do. And he loved to make films. And so he set up his company and he started making films and he decided to make a film about the Kootenays and the Ironman Canada event.
And so he approached me and asked if I would be the commentator on that film. And so I said, Yeah, sure. And it was a great thrill because he got incredible footage, including some guys who were doing Ironman Canada that year, but also some guys who were doing Ultraman and the The Penticton race director and a number of other people. And it was great because it really captured what this event means to a lot of people.
And he did some really neat angles on the bike. And then the water shots in the lake were amazing, too. And the way he brought it all together, I thought, was very special. So yeah, I think it was . It was a special moment for me to be able to be involved with a local guy who's doing some really good work. And I was really proud to be a part of it.
Rob Reid [00:29:57]:
Yeah, that's fantastic. It's always great when the local community can come together to showcase something that's so important and special to the area.
Steve King [00:30:06]:
Absolutely, you know, and I think that's one of the things that makes Penticton so unique and makes this event so special, because you've got the entire community involved. And I think when you're looking at having a race in a location, you've got to have the support of the community. And when you've got, you know, you've got people who are willing to volunteer and to be a part of it. And then you've got sponsors who are willing to step up to the plate. You know, we've got people who have been supporting this event for 25, 30 years and that says a lot about the event and about the race directors and about the community itself.
Rob Reid [00:30:38]:
Absolutely. And speaking of unique events, you've also been involved in some unique and challenging races, such as the Barkley Marathons. Can you tell us a bit about your experience with that race?
Steve King [00:30:50]:
Yeah, I mean, Barkley Marathons, I think, is one of the most unique events in the world. And, you know, when I was a kid and my grandparents were still alive, I used to go to my grandparents' place and they had this house in Cornwall, England, and they lived in the house that was on the edge of the edge of the cliffs. And there was a place called Lizard Point nearby, which was the most southerly point in the U.K. And at night, in those days, they used to have the lights of the lighthouse sweeping across the water. And I remember one year it was foggy and you couldn't see the light. You couldn't hear the horn because it was foggy.
And there was the horn and the light was coming and it was just so eerie. And I think Barkley, I had the same sort of thing, you know, it's like you're entering a different world. And the way Gary Cantrell, who's the race director, sets things up is absolutely incredible. I mean, he's a bit of a nutcase in terms of, you know, his ideas, but he's so clever and I think he just thinks things through so carefully. I mean, for instance, the applications are so unique, you know, you've got to do an essay, you've got to come up with a licence plate from your state and, you know, you've got to do a whole slew of things, including a test on his films. But the Barkley itself, I mean, you know, you're going into the dark. It starts at midnight and you've got a lot of different segments.
And it's sort of on an honour system as well. You know, it's not a marked course, so you've got to follow the route and you've got to find the books. And, you know, you're doing a course that is called a marathon. But really, if you're doing the Barkley, you're probably going to be doing it twice because you're going to go off course somewhere and you're not going to get all the books and you're not going to do it in 12 hours and 42 minutes. And, you know, the 20 people who finished it are absolutely incredible.
Steve King [00:34:30]:
All right, well, that was great catching up with Steve King, the voice of the finish line. What a great guy and really enjoy our chats and find out a little bit more about the events. And he's been a part of the experiences he's had over the years, you know, meeting some incredible athletes and really just being such an important part of so many people's journeys in these races. So big thanks to Steve for joining us on the show today. And if you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe and leave us a review. It really helps us out. And until next time, keep exploring and stay active.
Rob Reid [00:34:58]:
Absolutely. Thanks, Steve. Great catching up and great to hear your stories.
As we conclude this episode of the 'Run for It' Podcast, we're left with a profound appreciation for the indomitable spirit of the running community. Steve King, the iconic voice of the Royal Victoria Marathon, shared insights that transcend the finish line, revealing the heart and soul of a sport that unites individuals with a shared love for the run. The stories woven in this conversation, produced by Frontrunners Victoria and expertly guided by Rob Reid, illuminate the profound impact of running on lives and communities.
Whether you're a seasoned marathoner or a casual jogger, this podcast captures the essence of the sport and its ability to inspire, motivate, and create lasting connections. Lace-up your shoes and embark on this empowering journey through the roads and trails of the running world. Run for it!