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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
The Law Enforcement Torch Run "pulled off" the third major event of its fundraising year with the sixth annual First Air Hercules Pull Challenge, Saturday at the airport.

Above, Special Olympics NWT team at the Herc Pull. Team members include Samson Ullulaq, Lynn Enciso, Annie Strus, Mackenzie Marriott, Joey Oogaaq, Chris Strus, Phoebe Betsedea, Loic Burns, Julie White, Terry Kuiktana, Grant Marriott, Barb Kardash, Cynthia Simmons, Brad Hall, Kelton Broome, Denis Alain, Corrine Lafferty, Peggy Moorhouse, Jane Arychuk, Cappy Elkin and Mike Burns. - Simon Whitehouse/NNSL photo

Fifteen teams of 15 people got together on the tarmac at the RCMP hangar for a competition to see who could pull a 90,000 lb. First Air Hercules airplane 15 feet the fastest. Organizers commended the company for providing the aircraft for the day's event, as it was estimated First Air was losing $100,000 of business.

Special Olympics NWT executive director Lynn Elkin said about $11,000 was raised over the weekend.

“It is a little bit less than normal, but this year we had three events whereas in past years we have had only two,” said Elkin. “So overall I think the contribution is about the same. The city is fabulous in supporting us.”

When added with the other two major fundraisers held earlier this year, Convoy for a Cause and Polar Plunge: Freezing for a Reason, the total amount raised gives the organization a record $60,000 raised for a year.

“Team Awesome,” which was a team consisting largely of municipal enforcement and the people from the fire hall, raised the most money this year with $2155.

All money raised will go primarily to supporting the 47 Special Olympics NWT athletes, especially with facility rentals.

Saturday's event was marked as being the first time ever that the Special Olympics NWT team that participated was able to move the plane without outside help.

“Our guys came back really excited they were able to move it by themselves,” said Elkin.

The event also continued to show community enthusiasm toward the event and setting it up as a friendly competition. The Aurora College Angels, which is made up of the nursing faculty, and the Aurora College Devils, made up of nursing students, were among those showing a great deal of excitement.

“It was exhilarating,” said nursing faculty member Betty Ann Marriott. “We have a bit of a rivalry with the Aurora Devils which makes it like a pep rally for our whole school.”

As opposed to many of the faculty members, a number of the nursing students had done the pull before.

“It was a team effort and it was easier than I thought it was going to be,” said nursing student Monica Enns. “We had good coaching from our team leader, Tanya Silke. It is important how you pull the plane in that you have to use your legs and proper ergonomics.”

Enns's teammate Kyla Laroque said she was surprised at the experience after doing it her first time.

“It was a great first year, but it wasn't what I expected,” she said. “I had thought it was all upper strength.”

Category winners included: Mixed - Law Enforcement Torch Run and Friends; Men- RCMP; Ladies – Law Enforcement Torch Run Haulin' Lasses; Most Spirited team – Aurora Angels.

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