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INUVIK - Teresa Winter is gearing up for her second Midnight Sun Fun Run in as many years and she's hoping to shake things up this time around.

Maintaining a strict exercise regime for Sunday's event, she's planning to push herself a little further by upgrading to the 10 km race division from the 5 km class, which she competed in last year.

Teresa Winter goes for a light run on Mackenzie Road on Monday evening. She's hoping to participate again in the Midnight Sun Fun Run on June 21. - Andrew Rankin/NNSL photo

Though she's not expecting to finish in the top three, the feisty athlete plans to give it her best shot and have some fun in the process.

She admits the novelty of running at midnight in broad daylight hasn't worn off.

"Last year myself and a group of girls trained together, so it was great for us to get out there and challenge each other.

"I also remember how strange and interesting it felt to be running at midnight when it was so frigging hot and sunny," she said with a laugh.

Of course that's one of the main drawing points of the, event, which attracts people from all over the NWT. This year a club of 12 runners from Norman Wells is expected to participate.

Josh McDonald, Inuvik's recreation programmer and event organizer, expects the annual run to draw more participants than last year's showing which he estimates at 100, up from about 80 participants.

"We think it's a pretty special event," said McDonald. "It's a great way to showcase Inuvik and our 24-hour sunlight, and being the most Northern marathon."

Besides the 5 km and 10 km races, which begin at the stroke of midnight, the run will also boast a half-marathon starting at 10 p.m.

Each race will start from Jim Koe Park and will run along the highway.

Half-marathon participants will run from the park to the airport and back. Participants of the 5 km and 10 km races will complete a round trip run to Carn Road and Chuk Park, respectively.

Water stations will be set up along the way, with snacks prepared at the finish line. No prizes will be issued, but all participants will get a T-shirt bearing the event logo.

Registration will begin at the park at 9 p.m.

The Children First Society will be putting on its own walk for tots fundraiser in aid of the proposed Child Development Centre. Participants, which will be looking for sponsors, will walk from the park to the airport and back.

McDonald said he hopes as many people as possible from the community come out and support the run.

"It's an annual thing we do and it's important that we keep it alive and take it seriously," he said. "Of course, we want to see participants beat their personal bests, too."