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Arctic challenge raises money for Inuvik shelter
Marathoner runs 370 km on ice road to Tuktoyaktuk and back

Samantha Stokell
Northern News Services
Published Saturday, April 2, 2011

TUKTOYAKTUK - World-renowned ultra marathoner Alicja Barahona will run from Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk and back, to become the first person to accomplish the feat solo.

NNSL photo/graphic

Alicja Barahona, a Canadian citizen living in New York, will run 370 km between Inuvik and Tuktoyaktuk to raise money for the Inuvik Homeless Shelter, between April 6 and 10. Here she trains near her home in New York state. - photo courtesy of Vania Asenova

Barahona will run 370 km – equivalent to nine consecutive marathons – along the ice road from April 6 to 10 to raise money for the Inuvik Homeless Shelter. The shelter has suffered financial difficulties in the past and even closed in July this past year.

"The place is so challenging to live in for people who are financially struggling," Barahona said. "Whether it's $1 or 10 cents or $10 for every kilometre, I hope people will donate to the shelter."

Barahona's original plan was to come North to run the distance as a personal test of strength and endurance. However, after contacting the Inuvik Run Club for logistical information on how to prepare, she and Cynthia Wicks, director of the club, decided to make the run a fundraiser for a charity.

After looking at several proposals, a committee chose to support the shelter.

"It's an emergency shelter and its doors should be open 24/7," Wicks said.

For the final 30 km, members of the running club and the community will join Barahona to help raise money for the shelter. Organizers hope the run will become an annual event, complete with a ceremony at the Royal Canadian Legion, where the final amount of money raised will be announced.

Only place of refuge

The shelter is the only place of refuge for homeless people in the Beaufort Delta. With eight months of winter, one month of darkness and freezing temperatures, the facility is desperately needed in the community.

Approximately 85 people use the shelter per year, many of whom are repeat clients, whether they stay for a few days or longer. It can house up to 21 individuals and also has a soup kitchen that offers three meals per day to the residents.

The operating costs per month include $3,500 for utilities, $3,000 for the soup kitchen program and then staffing costs, which are the most expensive because someone is always working.

"We have been in real financial difficulties, but the community has helped out recently," said Kathleen Selkirk, a board member for the shelter. "As a runner, it's exciting to have her come up here and then when I heard about the fundraising I got really excited."

Barahona has competed in at least 35 ultra marathons, in locations such as the Sahara Desert, the Himalayas, and Alaska. She has finished first or been the placing woman in 15 of those races. She's had to face temperatures of 51 C, sand storms, severe dehydration and frostbite.

This race however, has her scared.

"I'm very concerned and nervous," Barahona said. "Hopefully I can return to Inuvik in a healthy condition."

She won't sleep because she's afraid she won't wake up from the cold temperatures. She'll eat peanut butter sandwiches, granola and freeze-dried food and frozen homemade waffles. She'll be carrying all her supplies – a sleeping bag designed for - 40 C, stove, food and extra clothing – on a sled while she runs. No support truck, nor a tent.

"It's extraordinary to run the whole distance in different conditions than she's used to," Wicks said. "When she e-mailed me at first, I laughed to myself. She's an extreme runner? We're the extreme runners. We run at -40."

Barahona will dress in layers and comes prepared with 10 face masks, three headlamps, and a variety of hats and gloves. With nothing but snow and the road ahead to look at, she thinks it will be mentally tiring as well, without the landmarks to note the distance.

She's also hoping passing truckers will stop to give her shelter from the elements or some water if they see her on the road.

"I'm sort of like the truckers. I pull a sled like they pull a trailer," Barahona laughed. "I welcome anyone to join me or just check on me. I would like to have human company."

Non-human company is something else she's worried about. She doesn't plan to carry any protection from animals she may encounter and hopes once she arrives in Inuvik, people will warn her if any animals are in the area.

"If I see a polar bear, I'll tell him I'm not responsible for climate change," Barahona joked. "If anything is spotted, I won't have a chance. They can outrun the fastest sprinter."

On April 5, Barahona will give a presentation to the high school and Aurora College about setting goals and accomplishing dreams. She plans to start her race early on April 6 and hopefully arrive in time for the completion ceremony at 4 p.m.

To make a donation, visit either the homeless shelter website or Barahona's website. One hundred per cent of donations will go to the homeless shelter to help with operating costs.

Barahona is Polish by birth and moved to Canada in 1981. She became a Canadian citizen before moving to the United States in 1991, where she works as a pharmaceutical scientist in New York.

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