ARVIAT - With a wave of their flags, the friends of Jacqueline (Nungnik) Charlotte Kuksuk started the fourth annual Nungnik 05 Memorial 120 Sno Challenge kids snowmobile race in Arviat this past month.

The race is dedicated to Kuksuk, who died in a tragic accident at the age of 10.

The Sno Challenge is divided into age categories, with boys and girls of the same age racing together.

Jacqueline's dad, David, said the event gets better every year.

He said there were more than 20 racers in this year's event.

"The race is all about having fun and keeping her memory alive, but the kids are pretty competitive out there too," said David.

"Once they enter the race, they're in it to win."

David said the race is strongly supported by the community and continues to grow in popularity.

He said he always looks forward to the race because it's a lot of fun to see all the parents and friends out cheering on the racers.

"The parents race after the kids on the same machines they used and that's always a lot of fun to watch.

"I always think maybe I'll say something to the people when I start the race, but I don't.

"It's hard for me to let my feelings out about it to other people.

"I don't know why that is. It's just something inside of me, I guess."

Laureen Angalik is the best friend of David's wife, Juanita, and has been involved with the race since it started.

She and her friends, Lorraine Kablutsiak, Jessie Kaludjak, Dorothy St. John and Sharon Illnik, organize the race for the Kuksuk family.

"We couldn't do this without the race dads who help at the ice, Brian Gibbons, Peter Kaludjak, Alex Ishalook and James Tagalik," said Angalik.

"We're so thankful for the donations we get from the Arviat Racing Club, Bravo Racing Club, Illnik Electric, Northern, Padlei Coop and Eskimo Point Lumber Supply.

"We also receive a great deal of help from Charlotte Kuksuk, Adrienne Pameolik, Rosalinde King, Jackie King, Sharon Andrews and Chris Mikiyungiak.

"David and Juanita appreciate everyone's help, especially Nungnik's friends who start the races with blue flags."

Angalik said the day of the race is still as special now as it was when it first started four years ago.

She said the race has become a big family event and lets everyone take the time to remember what a wonderful child Jacqueline was.

"It's special for Nungnik's friends that we remember her and have a day for them to have fun in her memory.

"She was really a popular little girl who was always smiling and had a lot of friends.

"She liked people and that was one of the things that made her so special."