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INUVIK
Just weeks after arriving in Inuvik, Cynthia Wicks started a run club that not only keeps people healthy, but helps the community as well.

The Inuvik Run Club is a strong recreational group in the community, which Cynthia Wicks, fifth from right, started in September 2010. Here, the half marathoners line up at the start of the Midnight Sun Fun Run on June 18. - NNSL file photo

Wicks started the club in September 2010, after moving to Inuvik from Halifax where she held a job at the Running Room. After noting all the other sports in the community – squash, swimming, hockey, skiing – she thought a running club would do well.

"No matter where you are, even above the Arctic Circle, there's always runners," Wicks said. "There wouldn't be a club without the dedicated runners making it out."

Wicks received the Innovation Award from the NWT Recreation and Parks Association during a presentation in Hay River on Sept. 15. The award is given to a recipient who demonstrates a commitment to improving access and opportunities for residents to choose an active and healthy lifestyle.

"It's actually very little to do with me. It's the other runners that show up in -30 that makes the run club," Wicks said. "(Run clubs) need a leader. People need to know someone is there and that they need to go no matter what the weather."

The Inuvik Run Club meets twice a week, on Wednesday nights at 6 p.m. for an easy run and on Saturday mornings at 11 a.m. for longer runs. In the spring, it held learn-to-run clinics and in the winter, the club hosted the Arctic Challenge, a fundraising run that generated $25,000 in donation to the homeless shelter.

It's work such as this that the Inuvik Parks and Recreation Advisory Board wants to see in the community.

"This is what we want to see people doing in the community, getting involved in recreation activities," Julianne Fuller said. "We felt that she had made a commitment to the community and the run club."

The board nominated Wicks for the award because she raised awareness of health and fitness and has organized a well-attended activity and drew more people to the sport through the learn-to-run clinics.

Roy Clarke, a dedicated runner with the club, has converted from a solo-runner to a group runner. He started out as an exercise instructor, but due to extensive travel for work, running became his main choice of fitness almost 20 years ago.

The camaraderie and mindset of fitness, rather than speed, has kept him as one of the constant participants of the run club.

"It takes the misery out of it, by getting out there and doing it," Clarke said. "You wouldn't do it by yourself, but you know there's someone out there counting on you to be there."

Having the run club also got Clarke off the treadmill and onto the road, even for his solo runs.

The club has had an average of 50 runners at any given time. Not only has it included local runners, but people on vacation looking to keep it in their schedule or those looking for a kickstart in their own fitness levels participate as well.

With winter drawing nearer, the numbers will dwindle, but the club will be out there every week. To be a successful ice road runner, wear many thin layers, a thick pair of socks, a wind-proof shell and running shoes, hat and mitts.

If interested in joining the club, meet at the Midnight Sun Recreation Complex at the start of the runs.

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