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DEH GAH GOT'IE KOE/FORT PROVIDENCE
A snowmobile event in Fort Providence is growing larger every year.

The third annual Fun Run was held in the hamlet on Feb. 18. Forty-seven people from four communities participated in the event that took them over 100 kilometres of trails.

The run began three years ago when a group of local snowmobiliers got together to ride the same route used this year, said Steven Vandell, the event's organizer.

Last year, snowmobile enthusiasts from Fort Simpson were invited to join the run. This year, through advertising and word of mouth, the size of the event increased again to 47 participants.

"It was a great turnout," said Vandell. "We didn't expect this many individuals."

Vandell organized the run, in part, because he enjoys snowmobiling, but also because of the tour-company, Vandell Ventures, which he runs with his four brothers. Volunteers from Fort Providence and other participating communities, including Fort Simpson, Hay River and Yellowknife, also helped with the event, he said.

For the Fun Run, participants left the community as a group at 11 a.m. and followed a marked trail developed over the previous week. The trail took them to the Horn River and then across to Mills Lake.

The riders returned to Fort Providence following the opposite side of the Mackenzie River.

During the run, the snowmobiliers participated in a number of events including a poker run that required participants to pick up cards in designated spots along the trail and play their hand at the end of the ride. Three-quarters of the way through the ride the group also stopped at a cabin for refreshments and a barbecue.

At the cabin, a number of events were held including the best-dressed competition, the hill climb, where riders did their best tricks off of a jump, and the snow carving competition, where riders did zigzags and turns in fluffy snow.

Troy Bradbury crashed on his first attempt

Troy Bradbury of Fort Simpson won the hill climb. Bradbury crashed on his first attempt, earning him the best crash award, but then got in a good jump.

Bradbury, who'd never been on the run before, said that he is already looking forward to next year.

"It's the best snowmobiling area in the NWT as far as I'm concerned," he said.

Bradbury said all along the trail there were big open plains and lots of snow. The trail was well marked so people felt comfortable straying off of it to play. The run was good for any skill level from children to aggressive riders, he said.

For Bradbury, the best part of the ride, however, was the people.

"They had great volunteers out there," he said.

Bradbury said he was impressed there were eight designated riders who were in charge of looking after broken machines and their riders. Five snowmobiles broke down along the trail and were towed for the rest of the run and back to Fort Providence. The organization was unbelievable, Bradbury said.

The Fun Run concluded back in Fort Providence at 5 p.m. where awards, donated by businesses and groups, were given out. Vandell said a lot of people commented about how much they liked the trail and the terrain for snowmobiling.

Plans are already being made for next year's event.

For 2013, there are plans for a shorter run for younger participants, said Vandell. He expects that after this year's success, the number of participants will grow even larger.

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