Arctic Bay (July 09/01) - John Rankin isn't a religious man. But when he runs on Baffin Island each year, the world looks different. "It's a spiritual experience," said the retired Canadian Tire executive who lives near Toronto. "It turns introverts into extroverts."

The second annual Nunavut Midnight Sun Marathon and Road Races July 2 attracted 21 runners from across Canada and the United States. Runners chose from two categories: a gruelling 42-kilometre stretch or an feet-numbing 84-km ultra-marathon. Only six people chose the latter.

Sherry McLean of Iqaluit and Frank May of Arctic Bay were the two Nunavummiut runners. In fact, the duo revived the 20-year tradition after Nanisivik Mine announced it would no longer sponsor the event in 1999.

"We wouldn't want to do it without the community," marathoner McLean said. "You don't want to be a bunch of strangers in someone else's community."

Runners showered at the arena, were billeted with families, munched on donated fruit and used the school gym for an awards' ceremony. "It's better now. There's more kids in tow and more community involvement," Rankin said, who ran 42 kilometres in just over five hours.

The new route goes part way to Nanisivik from Arctic Bay and then back around Victor Bay.

Ultra-marathoner Bill Dickey of Los Angeles runs year-round. Roads are his escape. "I tell people it gets me out of yard work, which is a joke because I live in an apartment," he said.

Dickey completed his 84 kilometres in 13:04:38.

The day after the race, runners organized two smaller runs for 60 Arctic Bay residents. "There was one mom who walked with her baby in one of those, you know, papoose things. And teenagers, too. Everyone received metals, T-shirts and prizes," Rankin said.

Dickey, Rankin and a half-dozen runners spent three days in Iqaluit before flying home.