By Kris Ohash
The world’s longest cross-country ski tour is back in Quebec this year, and some Centretown residents are planning to take the challenge.
“It’s as tough a workout as you’re ever going to get,” says Centretown resident and three-time participant Dan Reid, 26. “But it’s also a great way to meet new people and to enjoy a sport that I love.”
The 37th annual Canadian Ski Marathon (CSM) is a side-event of the National Capital Commission’s Ski-Fest 2003, which took place Jan. 18 and 19 at Gatineau Park.
The marathon runs Feb. 8 and 9 along a 160-km trail from Lachute in the Laurentian foothills to Buckingham just outside of Gatineau Park, with an overnight stop in Montebello.
Reid, who skis leisurely, says that while the marathon isn’t a competition, the challenge for participants comes from within.
“The marathon is all about challenging yourself against the elements of a Canadian winter,” he says.
“You set a goal for yourself before the marathon, whether it’s to ski a quarter of the way or to ski the entire distance.”
John Kane, president of the Canadian Ski Marathon, agrees.
“It is an excellent example of how Canadians warm their hearts and land in the cold of winter by challenging themselves and the elements in a friendly environment,” he says in a January press release.
The marathon, which began as a centennial project, raises money for the Canadian Paralympic Committee, an organization that supports top Canadian athletes with disabilities.
“The Canadian Paralympic Committee has a similar mission as the CSM,” he says. “We want to raise awareness amongst our 2000 skiers of the hard work and determination it takes for these athletes to excel.”
Sally Thomas, a member of the Canadian Paralympic Weightlifting Team who trains at the YMCA-YWCA on Argyle Avenue, says she is encouraged by the CSM’s generosity.
“I think it’s great; it would really help out the athletes who work so hard,” she says. “It doesn’t happen enough.”
Diane Drouin, director general of the CSM, says participation in the marathon from Centretown residents is always strong.
“We always have many participants from Ottawa’s downtown and Centretown residents,” she says.
“Most of our participants come from the Ottawa-Montreal corridor, while others come from across the U.S. and Europe.”
With an administrative staff of four and a logistics staff of five, Drouin says volunteers are also vital to the marathon’s success. “We have over 600 volunteers and they have been coming back year after year to help us out,” she says. “They do a tremendous job helping us organize the event.”
Ski-Fest and the Canadian Ski Marathon also draw many sponsors, like the Canadian Ski Museum located on Scott Street.
Melanie Brown, outreach programmer with the museum, says these events give the museum an opportunity to reach a broader audience.
“We’re always looking for innovative ways to reach the public, and what better way than to showcase yourself to people who love skiing,” says Brown. “There is a very rich history of skiing in Ottawa and Gatineau, and this is a great time and place to educate people about that,” she says.
As the 37th Canadian Ski Marathon edges closer, Drouin encourages those interested in participating to register as soon as possible.
“We believe that this is the best way of celebrating a Canadian winter,” says Drouin. “It’s a great way to fight the cold and enjoy the outdoors with a lot of friendly people and in a friendly environment.”
Reid shares those sentiments.
“I love the marathon because of how challenging it is and how friendly the people are,” he says. “I think if people enjoy those things and like to cross-country ski on top of that, this is something they should definitely take part of.”