Overlander Sports Marathon

Published August 18, 2019

8am marathon, 3pm flight. Today this back-of-pack finisher [would be] running against the clock. Only ONE Air Canada flight daily, Yellowknife to Vancouver. Work day Monday. Tight timing. Yikes!

Short walk to Somba Ke Civic Plaza. Sleeves, jacket & running shorts – fall season attire. Drip, drop rain. Better than summer HEAT. Tent-greeted by the folks @ Overlander Sports. Perfect running weather 🙂

Clover-leaf course; 2 separate out-n-backs, twice. I’d stay close first loop & alert. Signage but – if there’s a turn to miss, I generally do. After the Halfers finish, it’s often you & you alone for long spans of distance.

50 of us grouped & ready. Last minute RD announcements. Into the rain.

First loop, near repeat of yesterday’s Yellowknife self-tour. City Hall, Parliament Bldg, Northern Heritage Centre, Old Town. Missed my first turn there. Local runner gave a shout. Turnabout & tagged along first Half remainder. Igloo Building Supply, Frame Lake, Airbnb, Somba Ke return. 7 miles.

Shorter clover along the highway. Not as scenic, less tree cover & sideways rain – but great conversation with my Old Town lead. Not a myth, Canadians ARE super friendly. And Yellowknife? My new #2 – just behind Newfoundland. Hard to beat the Newfy accent & unique menu (cod tongue & scrunchions).

Loop 2 complete. Guide runner gone. Ear buds readied. Focus. Repeat.

Tune stream struggled much of the course (close 250 miles outside the Arctic Circle) so old-schooled a saved playlist from the past. My first Canadian territory. Dropped pace & enjoyed the ride. #luckyinlife

Mile 20 (Garmin buzz). Last loop, more of…the highway shuffle. More rain too – but my last lap & I’m Colorado home. Another Yellowknife runner kept company 3 miles. Trail angel. Paced up, appreciated the conversation. I HEART Canadians ❤️

Somba Ke finish, FIRST AMERICAN — ok, only American. LOL>

HOT post-race food, quick pic & territory gone. 7th medal in the Great White North.

Next month: Saskatchewan 🇨🇦