The big Raid the North extreme competition has come and gone, but not before race organizers and participants left with fond memories of their time on the North Coast and the Queen Charlottes.
The review of the Race events took place in Wednesday's Daily News.
Racers blown away by the warm welcome
By Patrick Witwicki
The Daily News
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
Athletes who compete in events like Raid the North Extreme, which wrapped up this weekend, are used to amazing experiences, but by all accounts, last week's race held here on the North Coast caught many by surprise.
The obvious highlight for many athletes was the rugged beauty of the North Coast, regardless of whether they were paddling, hiking, or even bushwhacking. But when the local community both here in Rupert and on Haida Gwaii quickly became involved with the event, it became something more.
Frontier Adventure Racing president Geoff Langford heard these types of comments and more from almost every single athlete, and he is confident many of them will come back to the North Coast on their own (see related story, page six.)
"I was thrilled with everyone's reaction," he said. "Every race seems to have its own character. The Yukon (2001) was all about its own remoteness, while Newfoundland (2004) was all about the community and the welcome (everyone) received.
"And that was definitely surpassed by this year. This time, it was all of them coming together with wilderness and community."
Second place finishers Dart-nuun (see recap on the race on page six) were just one team of many impressed with what the North Coast had to offer.
"The region, the landscape, it's amazing," said team captain Cyril Jay-Rayon, originally from Seattle.
"The people of Prince Rupert are incredible. You feel welcome coming to these remote areas.
"I live in a big city, and it drives me crazy."
Team Sole, winners of the race, agreed.
"You are the nicest people in the world," said team captain, Karen Lundgren, who is from California.
"Everyone we've met ... they took us in like family."
That community spirit certainly helped race organizers, who after 18 months of planning, suddenly had to come up with a new route in two weeks because of the Skeena River region flooding.
Langford was nervous at first, when they decided to move the first leg of the race over to the Queen Charlotte Islands. But not surprisingly, the people of Haida Gwaii were quick to embrace the event, and made it memorable for everyone involved.
"It was one of those things where we held our breath to see what would happen," he said.
"But then B.C. Ferries and Haida Gwaii Tourism jumped on board and made things a lot easier, and we were able to sigh with relief.
"The community itself on the Islands ... they exceeded all expectations. I mean, with all the food that kept showing up (for athletes and volunteers), and the Chief's (Willard Wilson, Skidegate band council) involvement over there, always bringing us more stuff ... that kind of hospitality just can't be beat."
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