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David Eikelboom admitted it was probably the biggest moment in his racing career to date.

The 26-year-old runner was the first to cross the finish line in yesterday's Yukon River Trail Marathon, 16 minutes ahead of the full marathon runner-up, Gary Krugger of Arizona.

Eikelboom finished the 42-kilometre trail run in 3:07:13.

"The win feels great,鈥� he said post-race yesterday at Rotary Peace Park. "The goal all along was to win 鈥� it wasn't to do a personal best 鈥� so it feels really good to have done that.鈥�

The local physiotherapist crashed on to the Yukon running scene last fall when he won the territorial cross-country championship.

He followed that up by qualifying for the Boston Marathon this spring, running a personal best 2:55:58 at the Calgary Marathon.

Despite competing in races across the country, Eikelboom said the Yukon River Trail Marathon is special for its toughness and natural beauty.

"It's the only race I can think of where every two kilometres, you get just a breathtaking view,鈥� he told the Star. "You've got mountains, you've got rivers 鈥� you've got all the geography of the area. This race really demonstrates all that

geography. It's a beautiful course too, and it's really kind of Yukon encapsulated in 42 grueling kilometres.鈥�

The annual race that features some of the capital city's top single-track trails around Schwatka Lake and Chadburn Lake once again reached its cap of 300 runners and walkers.

Denise McHale of Carcross was the top female finisher, completing the full marathon in 3:25:30.

Whitehorse runner Simon Lapointe took top place in the half marathon, running a brisk 1:32:46, while Lindsay Carson of Cambridge, Ont. was the first woman to finish in 1:34:33.

The duo 鈥楯ust Because' won the relay event, with Peter Sidler and Fabian Zehnder teaming up to run a 3:20:06.

Saskatoon's Paul Snider and Skagway's Becky Jensen took top spots in the half marathon walk.

Lapointe's half marathon win was special for him, coming three years after he was diagnosed with Chrohn's Disease, a chronic inflammatory condition of the bowels.

"It means a lot,鈥� the 37-year-old said. "I was really hoping to run a good race. I've been struggling with a lot of health-related problems for the last three or four years, and this summer, everything's been going really well. It's really awesome to be here, racing with my friends and the guys that I run with every week.鈥�

Lapointe said the trail marathon is a special event for its relaxed atmosphere and "spectacular鈥� scenes.

"The scenery is stunning the whole way,鈥� he said. "A lot of it is single track, which is what you want, what you're looking for in a trail marathon.鈥�

He said most runners can expect to add 15 minutes to their top times to account for the many elevation changes and sometimes-rugged path.

The event attracted an international race field.

"We have a lot of locals of course, but we also get some Alaskans, and then there are the people that are in to doing marathons in all 50 states,鈥� said Ken Sylvestre, a member of the race organizing committee. "And we seem to get a few of those diehards from southern Canada and the States who want to put the Yukon on their marathon map.鈥�

Sylvestre said the tough riverside trail run is now 15 years old.

"The first year was 1999, just about the time when trail running was getting a bit more popular,鈥� he said. "There was always a lot of road marathons and we were looking for something that was off the road.鈥�

For video footage of the race, visit http://youtu.be/Wi1lUpymBjA.

Top Results

Full marathon

(Male)

1. David Eikelboom (3:07:13)

2. Gary Krugger (3:23:25)

3. Keith Thaxter (3:40:56)

(Female)

1. Denise McHale (3:25:30)

2. Melissa Lewis (3:41:57)

3. Jody Eikelboom (4:02:22)

Half marathon

(Male)

1. Simon Lapointe (1:32:46)

2. Joel Macht (1:39:53)

3. Yanik Freeman (1:46:04)

(Female)

1. Lindsay Carson (1:34:33)

2. Sarah Daitch (1:48:45)

3. Susan Bogle (1:54:09)

Marathon relay

1. Just Because 鈥� Peter Sidler and Fabian Zehnder (3:20:06)

2. Drunken Duo 鈥� Stephen Dynes and Logan Potter (3:23:14)

3. Sullivan Sisters 鈥� Maura Sullivan and Krestena Sullivan (3:50:13)

Half marathon walk

(Male)

1. Paul Snider (4:15:54)

(Female)

1. Becky Jensen (3:15:33)

2. Grace Campbell (3:47:57)

3. Grace Snider (4:15:45)