麻豆社区

It鈥檚 the toughest slog in Whitehorse.

A group of about 40 runners and walkers took on Haeckel Hill Saturday morning.

Upon reaching the summit, they were greeted by sweeping rain and temperatures of six degrees.

The 6.2-kilometre route sees those who brave it gain 600 metres in elevation along a well-worn gravel road. Runners hustle to the summit, just shy of two Yukon鈥圗nergy wind turbines.

David Eikelboom won the 18th annual Haeckel Hill race in a time of 35:17, less than two minutes shy of Colin Abbott鈥檚 race record of 33:24, set in 2012.

Dominic Bradford was the second to reach the top in 37:14, followed by up-and-coming stars Sammy Mather (38:18) and Darby McIntyre (39:42).

Amelia Fraser was the top female, finishing in 47:48.

Both Eikelboom and Fraser were coming off personal-best finishes in the BMO鈥圴ancouver half marathon last month.

鈥淭hat was a tough workout,鈥濃�坰aid Eikelboom, 28. 鈥淎s we got closer to the top, the rain and wind got harder. It鈥檚 definitely a mental battle as much as a physical battle.鈥�

He likened it to a hike, where the challenge of getting there is rewarded by a beautiful view at the top.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a nice contrast to a flat race,鈥� added Eikelboom, who is the president of Athletics Yukon.

鈥淚t鈥檚 great to have the running community out so we can all suffer together on the same hill.鈥�

Eikelboom said the event served as training for the Yukon River Trail Marathon 鈥� of which he is a former champion. He also has the Hamilton Marathon Road2Hope in his sights this season.

Meanwhile, Mather continued to impress organizers with his third straight top-three finish in the gruelling event.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a great feeling to be at the top and see all of the incline I鈥坮an,鈥� the 11-year-old said.

鈥淏y the four-km mark it was getting windy and really hard. But my biggest goal is not to walk, and I鈥坅ccomplished that today.鈥�

鈥淚 like the challenge,鈥� added race finisher Chris Cann. 鈥淭he rain helped keep me cool, but I did have to stop four times for walking spells.鈥�

Longtime race participant Tom Ullyett said the race is likely the toughest run and walk under 10 km in the territory.

鈥淚t鈥檚 even tougher than the legendary Dome Run in Dawson City,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t is truly a leg- and lung-buster. Nobody really enjoys doing it.鈥�

It鈥檚 been a favourite and dreaded event in Whitehorse鈥檚 running and walking circuit since the 1990s when it was established by former elite Whitehorse masters cyclist and runner Michael Barton, now of Norway, Ullyett added.

In 2012, six elite cross-country skiers led by Abbott made the trek, each finishing under 36 minutes.