Marathon runners head to Canada

In two weeks time Athletes and Support crew from the UK, Europe and Canada will be arriving in the Northern Canadian City of Whitehorse, Yukon in anticipation of the Inaugural 6633 Extreme Ultra Marathon (the 6633 being the latitude in degrees and minutes of the Arctic Circle).

The 6633 Ultra will prove to be one of the most testing challenges on the Planet for endurance athletes. The non stop race on foot or cycling starts on the 17th March just South of the Arctic Circle at Eagle Plain and will see the athletes compete over a distance of either 120 or 350 miles.

Both races cross the line of the Arctic Circle, with the shorter race finishing in the Hamlet of Fort McPherson, whilst the longer event will continue to the end of the Dempster Highway at Inuvik at 230 miles and then for its last 120 miles follow the annually created Ice Road that provides the only access to the remote community of Tuktoyaktuk (352 miles) on the banks of the Arctic Ocean.

Whilst the distance alone will be a serious challenge to the competitors, the anticipated daily temperatures likely to be around minus 40 degrees coupled with the Katabatic Winds the area is renowned for will make this event the Toughest, Coldest, Windiest Extreme Ultra on the Planet for solo, self sufficient competitors. Only the hardiest types of athletes have applied.

Many of the participants in this first race are experienced winter racers, but the 6633 Ultra offers them the opportunity to push themselves further than ever before in these more testing environment. Checkpoints along the route being situated up to 70 miles apart will mean that in addition to the obvious physical strength and stamina required to compete, athletes will have to dig very deep into their mental strength to complete the challenge.

With the likelihood of having to cook and sleep in the wilderness in the extreme cold and wind, the competitors will also need to have good systems in place to counter these obstacles and to be confident in themselves. In many cases athletes will be finding new boundaries to their previously conceived limits of their ability.

Although the climate at this time of year can be harsh, what won’t be lost on all the participants is the magnificent physical beauty of this extreme remote location. Unobstructed panoramic views over the Peel and Red River Valleys together with the low lying Sun along the Mackenzie Delta will create memories that will never be forgotten. Couple that with the incredible hospitality and enthusiasm of the local residents from the communities along the route will make this an event full of superlatives

Coverage of the race including reports, stage results and gallery will be accessible from 6633ultra starting with the pre race clinic on the 15th March and then continuing through to the end of the race on the 25th with the post race party in the famous Gold Rush Town of Dawson – home of the Sourtoe Cocktail.

Daily update reports will also appear on sleepmonsters.com.