Marathonialbert: June 2013

Athletes in Action Canada invites Marathon runners to join us for a full marathon (42.195 km) gentlemen’s run in the World’s Polar Bear Capital – Churchill, Manitoba, Canada on November 22th, 2013.

A Polar Bear Marathon in Churchill, Manitoba, Canada -
The Polar Bear Capital of the world. Nov 22nd, 2013
Experience a unique marathon and culture

Registration:

Last Name
First Name
Mailing Address
Phone
Emergency Phone
Email Address
Nationality
Gender M F Age:
T-Shirt Size: S M L XL
Full Marathon

Next of Kin Phone Number ___________________________
Med. Insurance Company Name _______________________
Medical Insurance Co. Address & phone No._____________

Dates:

November 21st - ﬂy out from Winnipeg to Churchill, MB.
November 22^nd - run the Polar Bear Marathon.
November 22^nd - Evening Awards Dinner (inside without bears)
November 23^rd - Sight-see Churchill & Study Center
November 24^th - ﬂy back to Winnipeg, Manitoba

Registration Deadlines & Fees:
$300.00 (Cdn) due before Oct.1, 2013 (non-refundable)

$2,200.00 (Cdn) due before Oct 25, 2013

Payable to Athletes in Action
Cheque/Money Order – mail to address on reverse.

Purpose:
A winter-adventure-charity marathon in support of the Athletes in Action (AIA) work done in the Sayisi Dene First Nations community of Tadoule Lake – 250 km west of Churchill. AIA has done baseball camps in 2 different First Nations communities for the past 8 years. This work is based on volunteers and donations.

Runners - Limit of 20 runners

Costs:
$2500.00 which includes:
◗ Return ﬂight Winnipeg to Churchill
◗ Lodging for 3 nights in Churchill
◗ Awards dinner, T-shirt and medal

Safety and Protection:

Due to the harsh environment, e.g. the weather conditions at this time of the year, runners will be required to run in pairs. There is also a real possibility of the presence of bear, wolves, etc, so that we will have vehicles accompanying each pair of runners. These vehicles will also serve as mobile aid stations.

Route: - Route: From the town of Churchill we will run along the coast of the Hudson’s Bay in the direction of the Study Centre, turning around at the 21 km mark

Athletes in Action (AIA) Canada is a ministry division of Power to Change that focuses on the domain of sport. Sport is the one language that knows no boundaries and sees no distinctions. It unites cultures, transcends values and deﬁes convention. AIA is committed to using the language of sport to communicate the most powerful message of all: God’s passionate love for his children as communicated through his Son, Jesus Christ. It’s a story that’s changed our lives, given us purpose and hope. In Canada our work is a variety of ministries such as the Pro Ministry - Chaplains to the CFL (Canadian Professional Football League), sports camps and tours abroad with soccer, basketball, volleyball, and hockey teams. It is mentoring, training and educating Athletes, physically, emotionally and spiritually. Our home base is in Langley, British Columbia, Canada.
For more information see: www.Athletesinaction.com www.albertmartens.com

Churchill, Manitoba, Canada. Called the polar bear capital of the world, Churchill is also known as Manitoba’s beluga whale watching hotspot and is a birder’s paradise. The approach of winter also makes Churchill one of the best places to experience the northern lights. October and November are the best months to see polar bears as they get prepared to move out on the newly formed ice in search of seals. Scientists from around the world have come to Churchill to study the northern lights in the active night sky – Churchill is one of the top three places on the planet to see the northern lights. Located on the edge of the Arctic, Churchill offers the feel of a frontier town with the amenities of an international tourist destination. http://everythingchurchill.com/

Polar Bear Marathon Waiver - Consent:
I would like to take part in this Polar Bear Marathon in Churchill, Manitoba as a runner (42.195 km or 50 km). I understand that this will require good physical health, and that the weather conditions may be extreme – extreme cold temperatures and wind-chill factors, &/or snow storms during the run. Thus I am aware (as an experienced Marathon runner) of the physical and emotional rigors and risks involved. I will not hold the organizer, Athletes in Action Canada or any other organization or person(s) liable for any personal loss, injury, disability, accident, damages, or death. I am aware this is an extreme marathon, aware of the risks, physical hardships, and dangers. I am a conditioned marathoner and in good health. I am aware of the risks of danger due to the frequent presence of animals like Polar Bears, wolves, etc in the community, and thus will not hold anyone liable in case of injury. I acknowledge that this is an adventure run, and that I am solely responsible for my personal health and safety. I also acknowledge full and sole responsibility for any liability claims, damages to property, and for my own medical expenses incurred on my behalf. Should I become injured, or sick during this event, I authorize the event organizer (Athletes in Action Canada) to secure medical assistance on my behalf at my expense. I further grant permission for the Athletes in Action to use and reproduce images, any audio &/or visual recordings of me for any legitimate purpose, including commercial sales and marketing purposes pertaining to this event. I also acknowledge and agree that I will not be remunerated for such use.

Signature____________________________Date________________________________

Submit Registration form and fees to
Athletes in Action - cut registration & mail to:

Albert Martens
408-2nd Street
Steinbach
Manitoba
R5G0V5
Canada

Email: aemart@mts.net
Phone 204-346-1345
Cell 204-371-9780
For more Info Contact: - contact address above.

Also see www.albertmartens.com for 2013 Application Form, photos and reports of 2012 Polar Bear Marathon.

The Trail Run Manitoba

June 1, 2013

The majority of marathons I have run have taken place in Europe where I lived for 25 years.

Hiking trails as well as marathon trails in the Black Forest and in Switzerland are all well marked and colour-coded with names, directional arrows as well as elevation signs.

Canada is a much bigger country and we pride ourselves in the open spaces and pure wilderness without the clutter of signs and colour codes and arrows.

This therefore was my first nature ‘off the road’ marathon experience in Canada. The Spruce Woods Provincial Park (Epinette entrance) offers some fantastic scenery.

The marathon started where Dwayne Sandall drew a line in the sand with his shoe. Count down at 9:00 a.m. and we were off and running into the wilderness. Dwayne had briefed us before the start – “Keep the orange flags on your left…’show me your left hand’. The last stretch will have pink flags after the T intersection and those pink flags will bring you to the finish line.” That sounded clear and simple to follow.

There were fantastic Aid stations along the road with a variety of sweet energy treats as well as salty treats, not to speak of things like Coke besides the water! The first Aid station was 9 km in, and then the turn onto the Newfoundland 25 km loop with the next station being at the 18 km mark. The third station came after Jackfish Lake where I was met by my grandson, who was helping ‘man’ an aid station. Altogether there were 5 stations and these were extremely well equipped.

The trails were fairly easy to follow even though there were no kilometre markers. Two runners passed me, and as they went ahead along the “bumpy” trail - they were visible on the little hills, then disappeared into the little dips of the trail - then their heads came up again and again smaller as they disappeared into the distance.

The scenery was incredible and the terrain was anything but boring with its elevation changes and curves…all 42 kilometres of it. The trail went through a treed area and then you would come upon a beautiful meadow with rolling hills…(just no Swiss cows with bells).

By km 18 (at the second checkpoint) I noted that the ball of my foot was beginning to hurt. Shoes were not tied tightly enough. Blisters had already formed by the time I stopped to re-tie my shoes. Running uphill and downhill, pushing the foot forward in the shoe had created the problems. This also created the typical runner’s toenails – black ones, which will eventually fall off.

At times the trail was soft from the sand and this required more energy.

Observing the small pinecones on the ground, the open meadows, the forest, the sandy embankments, the creeks and hearing the sounds of the birds…what a way to run a marathon! The stretches between the stations were totally peaceful and with no cell reception it was a great time to think, reflect and feel really adventurous.

I was still about 30 minutes out when I was met by me grandson coming to fetch me – he was on a bike. That was a huge encouragement and a great finish to my run. And at the very end my granddaughter came out and ran in with me.

My oldest son also ran this race – and although he missed a turn and ran an extra 5 miles still managed to finish the run before I came in. This was a 3-generation event for the Martens family.

Dwayne is to be recommended for a great job organizing the Manitoba Wilderness Trail Marathon.

Albert Martens