Whit Raymond

Commentators at any event should be passionate, knowledgeable and interactive. They should have a deep understanding of the athletes, venue, sponsors, spectators, environment, charitable causes and everyone else involved. Great commentators get up and physically participate in the event along with the athletes and spectators.
 
Transcript: "All right, how can commentators enhance the triathlon experience? That's a great question. Now, how can commentators enhance any event, whether it be a triathlon, a running event, or hey, you're at your county fair and you're participating in the Don't Drop the Egg spoon race. Don't drop the egg, go WIC, go. You know, passion. You've got to be passionate about what you do, and I certainly hope that any time any commentator at any event anywhere switches on that microphone, that their passion, the love for what they do, is absolutely emanating from that person, that speaker. You know, commentating is entertainment, but in-depth knowledge of the events, the athletes, the venues, the sponsors, the spectators, the environment, the charitable causes, these are intimate and crucial elements. And every good commentator, I think what makes a good commentator know a great commentator is one who interacts with the athletes, spectators, volunteers, everyone is all part of the same family. If you're at an event and you're hearing, hey Fred, way to go man, okay Mary, great job. Uh-uh. Up and out of the seat and commentating at a triathlon or any event, you know, the spoon egg thing. You're up and it's physical, man. Get part of it and be part of what the athletes and everybody else is doing."

Raymond here, Triathlon and running commentator. I started out with the Hawaii IRONMAN World Championship in 1993 and have since worked at countless other world championships, national championships, regional champs, Olympic trials, and most recently the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics. Welcome your questions!
 
Transcript: "Hey everybody, Witt Raymond here, commentator, announcer guy with Triathlon and Running. I've done some obstacle course racing, adventure racing, and cycling events over the years as well, but predominantly triathlon and running events. A lot of people ask me, you know, hey, how'd you get into announcing triathlon running, etc., and that's quite the fun story, and welcome your questions about that, but the very first time I ever picked up a microphone at any event anywhere in the world was at the Hawaii Ironman World Championship, yep, in Kona in 1993. Now since that October 93, fast forward 30 years, and I've had the great fortune and opportunity to travel to more than 30 countries, working again mostly triathlon and running, countless world championships, national championships, regional champs, Olympic trials, and most recently the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games, which was in Japanese and English. So that's about it from Witt, welcome all your questions, thanks very much."