BHP Billiton Rock and Ice Ultra

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Family Affairs and Diamond Rivals

Rob Howard / 21.03.2008

This year’s entry list comprises approximately 100 racers across all categories, with many families taking part and a strong international entry in the Diamond Ultra race.

For the shortest race, the Cold Foot Classic, most of the competitors are naturally from Yellowknife. The race has a solo category with 24 competitors of which 7 are racing on foot and they will have a hard day tomorrow to cover the 74km course. Last years winner Doug Townend is skiing once again, looking to beat his time of 12 hours 55 minutes, and father and son Glen and Darren Willing will both be racing.

There is also a relay race, which has 6 teams in, although these can vary from 2 to 5 people. There are two pairs racing, including Tania Hercun and Alexander Lothian as team ‘T&A’ and both work for BHP Billiton. Another Race Sponsor, Canadian North Airlines, are also heavily involved in this race as they have two 5 person teams entered under the names, ‘Jet Setters’ and ‘Jet Streamers’. The other 5 person team are ‘Aurora Cursors’, who are an all female team. (In fact the majority of the relay racers are women.)

In the K-Rock Ultra class there are 34 competitors entered, 75% of them skiers, and again mostly from Yellowknife. The only international entry is Colonel Lionel Dyck from South Africa. Other visitors from outside Northwest Territories are Denise McHale from Whitehorse in the Yukon, who is the current 100km trail running champion in Canada and a very experienced endurance athlete, having finished in the top 5 in some of the worlds biggest adventure races. Her husband, Greg, is among the favourites in the Diamond Ultra race.

Last year Damien Panayi finished second in the ski class to Philip Mees (who is not here this year), and he is racing again, as is his wife Mandy Willett. Another family comprises the only team entry in this race, made up of Jamie Bastedo and his wife Brenda Hans, and their daughter Jaya (18). In this class the team is not a relay and they will go around together.

Last years footrace winner Ewan Affleck is back to race again, but he will be up against a world record holder. Michal Kapral has two Guinness World Records, for the fastest marathon while juggling 3 objects and while pushing a baby stroller! He won’t be indulging in either of those on the ice but is an athlete to reckoned with and has a marathon PB of 2.30.40.

In the Diamond Ultra race neither last years foot or ski winners are back to compete, but the competition will be strong. Among the favourites to win the one carat Ekati Diamond are Greg McHale, top Canadian triathlete Rick Hellard, and Travis Macy, a world class adventure racer who was recently third in bike race across Mexico. He is here with his father, Mark Macy, an 8x Eco-Challenge veteran, who Travis says has more winter race experience than he does. See All Event Posts