By Laura Keil
After a four-year hiatus, the Mount Robson Marathon returned this year for its 10th iteration at the iconic mountain. The return brought out a large contingent of local runners, many of whom placed on the podium.
Several locals trained together for the event and a whole group of Caribou Grill staff competed, many of them wearing bright pink clothing.
“It was so great to see such great local participation this year in quite a variety of age groups,” said Patricia Thoni, President of the Yellowhead Outdoor Recreation Association, the group that organizes the event.
Top-three finishers included locals Miwa Hiroe (1st, 12km women’s 20-39), Malyck Travers (1st, 5km men’s under 19), Iryna Borodulina (1st, 5km women’s 20-39), Charles Karassowitsch (1st, 12km men’s 20-39), Meagan Ryan (2nd, 12km women’s 20-39), Kelsey Dawson (3rd, half-marathon men’s 40+), Jeff Mcnaughton (2nd, 12k men’s 20-39), and Michel Ball (2nd, 5km men’s 40+).
Thoni said the day couldn’t have been any better.
Marathon Coordinator Jean Ann Berkenpas said they are very happy to have this event up and running again.
“Mount Robson Provincial Park is a stunningly beautiful place that we are privileged to share in this event,” she said. “The support from BC Parks and the communities in the area have been huge.”
She said they are looking forward to once again hosting the event annually, and the return of the Ultra Marathon distance once trail repairs are complete next year. The Berg Lake Trail has been reopening in phases after being closed due to a major washout in July 2021.
Thoni said the Ultra Marathon is the Mt. Robson Marathon’s most popular race. Next year, it will look a little different, however.
“With the new trail this year, we’ll have to re-GPS it. It’s quite different from Whitehorn to the flats. There are more switchbacks now, but it’s a beautiful trail and there’s a nice bridge.”
Anyone interested in next year’s event can visit the Mount Robson Marathon website at. www.mountrobsonmarathon.ca/
To view more photos taken on the trail, click here.
