Inuvik (Jun 02/06) - Even though their hardest challenges lie in Hay River, the Samuel Hearne track team has already run a distance to make it to the annual meet.

The group of 23 students have been led by teachers Lisa Acker and Eric Church. They left on May 31 and will return from the meet tomorrow.

Acker said the group had raised more than $30,000 from different fundraising initiatives in town.

The money covered airfare, accommodations and registrations for the group of eager athletes.

Acker said she stays active in the group to encourage more participation from the fairer sex.

"I want to see more girls going out for sports to other communities," said Acker.

Most recently, the students were at the fire hall holding a car wash, a few days after a splash of rainy days and muddy roads.

Seventeen-year-old Daniel Fehr was one of the guys who braved the fire hoses that day.

He said he has been waiting all year for the meet.

"This year is my sixth time at the meet, so I know what to expect," said Fehr.

Fehr said the team had given their services to many different causes in town to make the money.

"We picked up trash, held a run-a-thon at the school and shovelled the Legion's parking lot clear of snow," he said.

The shotput throw and discus toss are some of the events Fehr is looking forward to.

"In the past, I've also run long distance in the five-kilometre race," said Fehr.

This year he tackles a new breed of race in the shorter 100-metre and 200-metre dash.

"I've been working hard for my new goals by running a lot and training in the gym," said Fehr.

Fifteen-year-old Richard Phillips said he is also preparing for the meet by tossing the javelin in the soccer field.

"My best throw so far has been around 20 feet," said the Grade 9 student.

Phillips is also competing in the 100-metre dash and the long jump.

Phillips said the meet is the first trip he has taken for school this year.

"It's my first track meet, too, so I am really training for this one," he said.

For David Terry, this will be his second meet.

"We had a great time last year in Hay River," said Terry.

"I'm happy to see a good team this year. Last year was a little smaller."