The ninth annual Iron Horse Ultra 100 took over a large portion of the Iron Horse Trail this weekend. Long distance runners and outdoor enthusiasts from across Canada signed up to battle the backbreaking 100-kilometre or 100-mile run.
Participants signed up to take part in one of four categories: 100-mile soloists, 100-mile teams, 100-kilometre soloists, and 100-kilometre teams. Only three of the nine long distance runners who set out to conquer the 100-mile solo course were able to finish.
This year offered yet another unique experience for organizers to witness.
“One of the most amazing stories I have ever seen happened this morning,” said Ben Poulin, one of the members of the event’s organizing committee. “One of the racers, Jose Rios, was running at a 6 km/hour pace for the first 140 km, and then picked it up to a 10km/h for the last 20 km. It was an amazing turn around. In the last 8 km, he really picked up the pace. I have heard of that before but have never seen it.”
With only three of the nine 100-mile runners completing the course, it was the lowest completion rate in Iron Horse Ultra’s history.
“The nice weather must have convinced the athletes to push too hard too soon, and they burned out. It’s all about pacing yourself,” said Ben.
The course covers either 100km or miles along back county roads, dirt and grass trails, Iron Horse Trail, loose gravel, sidewalks and walkways. The runners depart form Reunion Station in St. Paul at 7 a.m. before heading east as far as Lindbergh and then back to Reunion Station.
While the Iron Horse Ultra draws runners from across the nation and sometimes even from around the world, lots of locals also take up the challenge.
Solo runner M Li, who despite her efforts didn’t finish the race this year, summed up the uniqueness of the Iron Horse Ultra to committee organizer Monique Poulin.
The Iron Horse Ultra “is the only ultra in the world where you can: run part of the Trans-Canada Trail while it's decked in gold and red fall colors; crawl over, under, and through fences, occasionally to detour . . . a herd of 50 agitated cows blocking the trail; share stories about getting legs and arms cut up by sharp grass, farmer's field stubble, deadfall, thorns, and barbed wire; enjoy the deliciousness of home-made roast and chicken soup and blueberry pancakes with sucre a la crčme . . . watch the aurora; be followed by the same farm dog every year, and visit the . . . UFO landing pad near the start and finish.”
Team Double D Racing, made up of Owen Gibson, Tracy Yaremko, Dave McNamara, Trina Cox and Dustin Demers, finished the course in 13 hours 56 minutes.
“I started training back in the spring. I ran about three times a week since June, although there were weeks I didn’t run at all,” said Trina Cox. “It was very hard to stay motivated at times, but I knew I had four teammates depending on me to be ready. I started off with shorter runs and gradually worked toward longer distances. I really had to change my eating habits because I wasn’t eating enough carbs to give me the energy I needed for the longer distances.”
Cox says she has always enjoyed running.
“It clears my head and I just love being outdoors. I moved to the Elk Point area in 2010 and went to a community registration night. Iron Horse Ultra100 had a display table at the event. I took some information and placed the race on my bucket list. It was something I knew I had to do at least once.”
Cox completed the shortest leg of the race, but nonetheless felt a sense of accomplishment and pride as teammates, friends and family cheered her on. The experience is something she will never forget.
“When you know that all the months of preparing have just paid off . . . All the doubts you had, especially climbing some of those hills along the way, when you think you just can’t do this,” and then suddenly, those feeling are gone. “What a feeling . . . what a rush. I was in tears when I crossed my finish line. I set a goal and I accomplished it. The feeling is almost indescribable.”
While her teammates are encouraging her to keep running now that the race has wrapped up, Cox says part of her is ok with not running again, and simply knowing that she’s checked the item off her list.
But then there’s the other side.
“The competitive side of me says surely I could have been faster. Time will tell, I guess.”
Cox also walked away from the race away with a “renewed sense of appreciation” for how much she is support by her husband.
“When I saw him cheering me on as I was getting close to my finish line yesterday, I teared up. I couldn’t have done this without his support . . . as well as him pushing me on the days I didn’t feel like training. He kept me in line and reminded me often that I couldn’t let my teammates down.”
Fellow Double D teammate Tracy Yaremko started training for the Ultra in April, using the Runkeeper app.
“I made sure I had lots of hills to train on in order to prepare myself for the terrain the Ultra has. It got more difficult near the end, as I would have to train in the dark.”
Yaremko says she took on the challenge because she likes to set goals for herself.
“I need extra motivation to exercise, and if I have something to strive for it motivates me to be consistent with my workouts until I reach that goal. Will I run again? Most likely.”
She adds that through the experience, she has met many link-minded people, which is something she appreciates.
“It can be lonely training on your own for months, but when you meet up with a whole group of people who have done the same, it is very empowering and exciting. It’s a community I’m happy to be a part of.”
And while athletes are likely still feeling the burn from their long-distance run over the weekend, the tenth annual Iron Horse Ultra is already being planned, and is scheduled for Sept. 29, 2018.
Results from the event are:
100-mile solo
Adam French, 20:58:34
Hiroshige Watanabe, 24:14:10
Jose Rios, 25:58:15
100-kilometre solo
Daylan Wizniuk, 12:35:58
Alexander Glenn, 12:35:58
Jeremy Welwood, 12:46:19
100-mile team
Trail Nuts, 16:46:15
Pretty Legs, 17:32:11
Kenya Catch Us, 18:36:13
100-kilometre team
Gimp One and Gimp Two, 10:21:00
The Hawks, 10:39:00
Sponsored by Dave, 11:17:05
