Nearly 100 runners took to the trails this weekend as part of the annual IronHorse Ultra 100. This year, runners had the option of taking part in a 100 mile run, a 100 km run, or a marathon race, which was 26 miles in length.
Each year, since the event started, the number of racers taking part has grown, explains one of the event’s organizers, Anna Leskiw.
The IronHorse Ultra is one of 10 races that make up the Alberta Ultra Series. Races take place across the province between February and October.
Only two of the 96 competitors didn’t finish their respective races, which was great to see, says Leskiw. She adds that a new course record for the 100 mile run was set this year, with Oleg Tabelev, out of Calgary, setting a new time of 19 hours, three minutes, and 23 seconds, beating the previous record by about four minutes.
Organizers faced a few challenges throughout the day, such as cows eating the stakes that had been set out to mark the course, but overall, the day went great, thanks in large part to the willing farmers who allowed the race to cross their lands.
“Without the farmers, there is no way we could do it,” says Leskiw, adding, she wouldn’t want to create a course where runners had to stay on the road. Also, the County of St. Paul was an important partner in the event, says Leskiw.
Overall, the 100 km course was very similar to past years, aside from a detour around a wet area. The 100 mile course changed a bit for safety reasons, and thanks to a farmer in the area along the North Saskatchewan river, runners were able to run along a ridge instead of down by the river, where there is known wildlife.
New this year was the marathon portion of the event, which was organized to encourage locals to participate in the event. Leskiw says that she had heard from a number of residents that they did not think they could complete the longer races, but after completing the marathon, she is hopeful more residents are encouraged to join the longer races.
Out of the 96 racers, about 20 local athletes took part in the event, according to John Weinmeier, another organizer.
And as for next year, Leskiw says that many participants are hoping and talking about taking part in the IronHorse Ultra 100 again, but she admits that as an organizer, it’s a lot of work to put on this type of event.
