SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
With nothing ahead and nothing behind but miles of frozen lake, De Beers' chief financial officer Steve Thomas said it was the crunch of the snow beneath his feet that kept him going during a 42.2 kilometre marathon Monday.

De Beers ice road marathon participants from left, Steve Thomas, Marc Lincoln and Megan Rodel stand at the start of the Gahcho Kue project ice road at Kennady Lake, about 280 kilometres northeast of Yellowknife. - photo courtesy De Beers

Thomas was accompanied by his Snap Lake colleagues superintendent of business improvement, Megan Rodel and senior project manager, Marc Lincoln as they covered the winding distance down the winter road to Gahcho Kue - 280 kilometres northeast of Yellowknife. The trio braved the icy conditions as a fundraiser for NWT communities.

For Thomas who completed a similar run on a winter road in northern Ontario March 11 to De Beers' Victor Mine, the juxtaposition of landscape was incredible.

"It was a beautiful day out there and the wind was mainly at our backs. It was quite amazing to be able to see through the ice when you're running on top of the lake," he said, adding he was glad to have some company this time around with Rodel running and Lincoln cycling alongside him.

"Ontario was much tougher weather conditions, but that crunch of footsteps kept me going and running alongside Megan - it was a lot less lonely."

Lincoln said he was a little apprehensive at first, not knowing what to expect when he got out on the ice but Rodel's enthusiasm got him through.

"She pushed me because I was a bit nervous - biking is different to running, you do have a higher windchill factor so you get quite cold," he said. "I was nervous . but it was for a good cause and that's the real benefit we have and I'm very pleased we did this."

The trio were accompanied by a safety support vehicle along with a number of trucks that plowed the way ahead. Rodel said it was the sense of adventure that drew her in.

"It was one of the most incredible experiences I think I've ever had - it was excellent to be off in the remote Northern Canada to be running with nothing around you . it's pretty awe-inspiring," she said. "Every marathon that I've run has been an adventure and this is just one more."

The event was a fundraiser for the Food First Foundation, an organization that runs nutrition programs in the territory. Thomas says ensuring the well-being of these communities is essential, as they are De Beers' life line. So far the run has raised $14,749.

"The goal was to get through safely and raise as much money as we can because it's not about the event, it's about the cause," Thomas said. "We wanted the organization to be well publicized and better understood among our employees and people we do business with so it will be on their radar going forward."

Rodel said the run was well received and already people are getting excited about the possibility of another event next year.

"I think it would be great if we could do it again and keep up the good work," she said. "I think they're pretty keen to do it and we've had some interest from the teams of all three operations . if all goes well you will see us again next year."

Rodel and Thomas completed the marathon in about four hours and 45 minutes; Lincoln finished it in about three hours on his bicycle.