Inuvik resident Jennifer Stronge became the first Canadian woman to complete the Arctic Ultra 6633 foot race when she crossed the finish line in Tuktoyaktuk around midnight March 16.
Photo Courtesy of Joey Amos
Stronge placed fifth overall in the 566 km foot race, which bills itself as "one of the most respected extreme ultra-marathons … the toughest, coldest, windiest ultra distance footrace on the planet."
She was one of six participants who completed the race, and attributes her success to having lived in Inuvik.
"I think being in Inuvik is what really helped me finish it," said Stronge. "Knowing how to deal with the environment … I think I had a healthy respect for it, and enough time to prepare to know how to deal with it, which I think was key to my success."
She added Olav Flasnes from the Arctic Chalet also helped her immensely with installing proper wheels on her pulk and suggesting she wear mukluks.
Stronge said it was an honour to be able to participate in the race.
"It was a huge honor to be amongst so many athletes from so many different countries, so it was pretty amazing to be among that group," said Stronge. "And to be successful, especially in an environment where they have such low success rates, I feel pretty honoured and pretty lucky."
Stronge has participated in several long-distance races in the past, but she said the Arctic Ultra 6633 was by far the most difficult because of the challenges posed by the environment.
"There were times when I just wanted to lay down, but I couldn't because I would freeze to death," Stronge said.
She trained for and participated in the footrace with another Inuvik woman, Marie-Josee Martel, who dropped out of the race due to injury near Aklavik.
They were simultaneously raising money for Inuvik's John Wayne Kiktorak Centre.
Martel and Stronge said throughout their time living in the North, they have witnessed many people struggling with homelessness who have to walk around all day and night to stay warm.
Samantha McKay/NNSL photo
"I thought about them a lot, the people that walk around town to stay warm," Stronge said. "I felt so lucky to be doing what I'm doing and have a warm house to go to after I'm done. It's actually a very luxurious thing to be able to do."
Stronge said her husband, her dog, and a huge group of supporters were waiting for her at the finish line.
She added that while she doesn't think she'll be participating in the race again, she will be there to support Martel when she tries again next year.
The ultra-marathon began March 8 in Eagle Plains, Yukon, and passed through Fort McPherson, Aklavik and Inuvik before ending in Tuktoyaktuk.
Tibi Useriu of Romania won the race.