Organizers and runners for the inaugural Athabaska Ultra 100 are readying themselves for what will be the longest ultra race in the province, right through our region.
Registration is now open for the July 28 race, which will see runners trek from Fort Saskatchewan to Athabasca along the Athabasca Landing Trail.
According to the race website, runners will also move through 10 transition zones which will feature Indigenous and community storytelling, highlighting the history of the area.
Race director Brenda Reynolds said in an interview the event aims to educate people about the history of the Athabasca area and attract tourism.
“We just want to educate people about the history we have in our area. It can be a tourist destination,” Reynolds said. “It’s beautiful in our area and we have history, we’re connected to our history there in that area.”
The race route runs along the “100-mile portage” originally built in 1876, following the trails of local Indigenous guides, the race website said.
Municipalities along the route are partnering with the race and providing attractions at the transition zones, Reynolds said.
“They’ve been co-operative, and that of course really makes a big difference,” Reynolds said.
Those municipalities include Athabasca, Athabasca County, Westlock County, Thorhild County, Sturgeon County, the Town of Gibbons and Fort Saskatchewan, Reynolds said.
Calgary runner Liz Nelson is planning to run solo in the Athabaska Ultra 100. She said she is looking forward to exploring the countryside there.
“I’m really forward to really taking my time getting there and seeing the countryside off the highway,” Nelson said in an interview.
The event is capped at 500 runners this year, although Reynolds said the number of runnerswould expand in future years. The race is also the longest ultra in Alberta, Reynolds said, measuring at 175.63 kilometres.
Grand Prairie area runner Joanne Penson-Boucher is also running solo in the ultra. She said as a solo runner, she will not have much time to be involved in the festivities, but added it is good to see communities come together to contribute to the race.
“I don’t think I’ve seen that type of approach in most ultras, so I think it’s a great thing,” Penson-Boucher said in an interview. “A wonderful way to showcase what communities can do when they come together to achieve something.”
The inaugural Athabaska Ultra 100 was originally planned for 2017. But Athabasca County tourism and economic development co-ordinator Robert Buckle said in an April 2017 interview the race was pushed back to 2018 to allow for more tourism and economic development opportunities.
Reynolds said the excitement is building as the race draws closer.
“It’s exciting. We look forward to it and it’s an exciting new run to the running community,” Reynolds said.
The event begins with an expo and opening ceremony in Fort Saskatchewan July 27, followed by the race starting the next day. Registration is open for both individuals and groups at www.athabaskaultra100.ca until June 30 or when all 500 slots are filled.
For more on the historic Athabasca Landing Trail, check out the Advocate’s Secrets of Athabasca section online at bit.ly/AthaLandingTrail
