What was poised to be Footstock’s most successful year since 2016 came to a sudden and devastating halt the night before the race, after a powerful windstorm tore through the event site.
Race director Meredith McMorran was at home making final preparations for Sunday’s events when she received a call just after 9:30 p.m. from one of the four race directors still on site.
“We need everybody,” she recalled being told. “We were probably on site for about two hours just trying to clean up the debris. Registration packages had blown away, fencing was knocked over. We laid it all down as a preventive measure so nothing else would blow off.”
The windstorm caused significant damage to critical infrastructure, blowing over tents, scattering materials, and even toppling portable toilets. Photos posted to Footstock’s social media captured the chaotic aftermath.
Despite the overnight efforts of organizers and volunteers, who worked on-site until 4:30 a.m., the decision was made to cancel the event out of concern for participant safety.
“The infrastructure, the logistics, and all the people power required to safely run an event-- we just couldn't get it all back in time,” said McMorran.
Footstock’s kids’ triathlon had already sold out back in April, and this year’s overall registrations marked the highest participation since 2016 — a sign of the community’s growing enthusiasm after years of pandemic-era challenges.
“So many people talked about the great momentum we had on social media and the fantastic number of participants,” McMorran said. “Everything was going our way, until it wasn’t.”
A major safety concern was the inability to prepare the bike course in time. The route, which runs along Griffin Road and sections of sidewalk, couldn’t be properly signed or blocked off.
“We’re not allowed to place no-parking signs or pylons until the day of the race. Even if we had done it earlier, it likely would have blown away anyway,” she explained.
In spite of the disappointment, Footstock encouraged participants to still come down Sunday morning for the Stampede Caravan Pancake Breakfast and Tim Hortons coffee truck-- a small way to celebrate the community spirit that defines the event.
“We had to do our best to celebrate the fantastic Footstock spirit together despite this disappointment,” the team posted on social media.
“To our incredible Footstock community: thank you for your patience, support, and understanding as we process the tough decision to cancel this year’s event.”
Organizers extended heartfelt thanks to the volunteers, sponsors, and supporters who stepped up both during the planning and in the aftermath of the storm.
“Your support means more than we can say,” read the statement. “Thank you to our amazing volunteers, sponsors, and everyone who sent kind messages, words of encouragement, and promises to be back next year.”
Looking ahead, the Footstock team says they are carefully reviewing the situation, including event logistics, communications, and financial implications from the unexpected loss of infrastructure.
An update for registered participants will be shared via email by June 17, and through Footstock’s social media channels.
