Northwest Passage Marathon

Arctic Watch North West Passage Marathon Races, 2010

The Northwest Passage Marathon on Somerset Island in Nunavut, Canada is North America’s most northerly marathon and the world’s most northerly ultra marathon.  This race is held under the 24-hour arctic sun and against the backdrop of the fabled the Northwest Passage. 

Arctic Watch is a wilderness fly-in lodge located in Cunningham Inlet on Somerset Island, Nunavut. Arctic Watch specializes in nature viewing, particularly beluga whales and muskox. The lodge offers activities such as hiking, rafting, sea kayaking and ATVing. The lodge is owned and operated by Arctic and North Pole travel specialists, Josee Auclair and Richard Weber. A visitor to Arctic Watch can experience a wide range of arctic activities while based in a comfortable lodge. It is an arctic safari. 

The Northwest Passage Marathon is North America’s most northerly marathon. This is a true wilderness route.  The 55 km course leaves Arctic Watch, goes north along the shore of the Cunningham Inlet for 10 km to Polar Bear point. The runners turn west and go beside the famed Northwest Passage for the next 18 km.  The trail follows a series of old raised beaches of sandstone pebbles. There are icebergs on the water and ancient encampments on the shore. In 2005, runners saw dozens of beluga whales, and many seals. In 2007, runners saw polar bears.  At Cape Marie, all runners wade the Marie River (maximum knee deep), then turn south and inland along the Red Valley (so named for the red stone and soil). Muskox sightings in this area are common. The trail then swings back east, climbs gently over a height of land before dropping back down towards the Cunningham River. The final couple of kilometers are along the Cunningham back to Arctic Watch.
The marathon course starts on the Northwest Passage at Polar Bear Point, the 10 kilometer mark (approximately) of the Ultra course and finishes at Arctic Watch Lodge.

This is a rough trail run with no roads. The trail is marked with Inukshuks and flags. The surface is generally smooth and covered with pebble sized rocks. There are some shallow creek crossings.

Itinerary

July 30, 2010
10:00 am flight from Yellowknife to Arctic Watch, arriving at Arctic Watch at 4 pm.
Cross the Cunningham River to Arctic Watch by raft.
Meeting in Great Room for introductions, explanations, tea, coffee, cookies.
Get rooms
Supper

July 31, 2010
Breakfast at 8:30 am.
Meeting to discuss race details.
Training Day

August 1 – Race day
Breakfast at 7 am
Ultra race starts at 9:00 am from Arctic Watch.  All marathon runners will travel from Arctic Watch to Polar Bear Point by Unimog truck. Marathon race starts at10:00 am from Polar Bear Point.

All runners will be accompanied by an ATV support vehicle. carrying food and clothing.

August 2, 2010
Breakfast at 7 am
Go sea kayaking, hiking, ATVing to see arctic scenery and wildlife such as muskox and whales

4:30 pm departure from Arctic Watch for Yellowknife, arrive about 9 pm.

Accommodation
Accommodation is in small private cabins. Arctic Watch has sixteen cabins.

Group Size
Minimum group size is 11 runners, maximum is 32 runners

Costs
Standard transportation is calculated at $2000 per person round trip from Yellowknife.

Note: The flights are based on 2009 fuel prices. Price may be subject to a fuel surcharge if there is a major increase in fuel prices.

There is a tax of 5% for Canadian residents and 2.5% for non-residents.