Hi everyone,
winter is definitely close now. I have already had my first trail run snow adventure … running from Garmisch-Partenkirchen to Ehrwald (Austria) I unexpectedly ended up wading through knee deep snow for about 10 km. I can’t wait until everything is covered in white! Especially now that I am training myself in order to be in good shape for my trip to Scandinavia.
I hope you all have a great winter!
Some news for you:
“From Ice to Ashes” in book stores now!
Jessica Simon did it! “From Ice to Ashes”, her first book is now in book stores everywhere. Congratulations!!!
If you participated in the YAU already you will know Jessica. She is always there at Dog Grave Lake to take care of the athletes. Many times she has also been our race headquarter once back from the checkpoint. So, she knows the YAU perfectly. At the same time she is a writer and journalist. The result was the idea for an unusual book. At least I don’t think there is another ultra that has become the background for a thriller.
Here is what it’s all about: “When a terrorist infiltration overtakes the Yukon Arctic Ultra – the most challenging human-powered race in the world – Auxiliary RCMP Markus Fanger leads a manhunt for North America’s most imminent threat. With the help of Donjek Stoneman, a young offender attempting to clean up his life by serving as a race official, Fanger traces the menace to Arctic civilisation through the frozen northland of Dawson City, Yukon to Fort Greely, Alaska, where a desperate man seeks vengeance against the United States government. This is a fast-paced thriller that transports the mystery genre into an area seldom explored in North American literature.”
Jessica did change the race course but if you read it you will get an interesting point of view on a lot of things to do with the race. So, it’s definitely one of the books you should read – either to prepare or to remember!
More athletes to sign up
It’s incredible but we now have 7 Spanish athletes on the 300 mile race roster! The latest ones to sign up are Eduardo Linares, Alejandro Izquierdo, Carlos Garcia, Rafael Garcia and Juan Jofré. It must be the quest to become the first Spanish to finish this distance that motivates them all.
Just today I received the first 300 mile entry from England. It is from Mike Thomas who already finished the 100 miles in 2009 and now wants to take his sled out for a longer trip.
With Peter Jansen from Germany and Matthew Welbourn from England we now have also the first participants for the 430 miles.
Paul Boyle and Robert Murray, both from Scotland, have entered the 100 miles.
Welcome to you all!
Good news from Yukon
If you followed the updates during our last race you heard about a dog that caused all kind of excitement. Some athletes thought they will surely be eaten by a wolf now. However, the wild creature turned out to be a dog we later called “Yukon”.
Yukon clearly enjoyed following athletes on the trail and teamed up with a few of them. In Carmacks we decided to bring Yukon back to Whitehorse as we thought the owners may be really worried. Unfortunately, nobody picked him up at the animal shelter and there was the threat of Yukon being killed due to lack of space. Therefore, we started looking for a new place for our friend on four legs. We did not have to look long as Bruce Thompson, finisher of the 430 miles, decided to take Yukon with him to the States.
Bruce emailed me a short while ago saying that Yukon is doing great and continues to amaze everyone. That’s what I call Happy Ending.
Fly over the Yukon Quest trail
By coincidence I just found something interesting on the Yukon Quest website – a website, by the way, which you should all visit every now and then. For athletes there is always cool stuff and as we will share the trail again in 2011 it’s great to know what happens with the mushers and their dog teams. What I found is a map that takes you on a virtual flight over the Yukon Quest Trail. This link will get you there: http://www.yukonquest.com/yq-flyover.html. Try it, it’s fun and it gives you an idea of what the terrain is like.
Gear for winter running needed?
If you live in Europe and need gear for winter running or already in preparation for the next YAU please check out www.racelite.com. We have increased the range of products a lot and are proud to offer the best gear out there. Also, feel free to send us emails with questions or of course call any time you want.
We do also deliver to North America and any other parts of the world but needless to say that due to shipment cost and currency it often makes more sense to buy gear there if available. If in doubt ask us for an offer. I guess it all depends on the product and your adventure.
And if your next trip will take you to a desert or jungle check out the shop, too. Racelite.com features gear lists with a lot of interesting information.
Regards,
Robert Pollhammer
The Great Outdoors
Robert Pollhammer
Ludwigstr. 9
82467 Garmisch-Partenkirchen
Germany
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