It’s official, this fall ultra-marathoners from throughout the province will be coming to the valley to compete in the X Warrior Challenge X Ultra.
This week Darcy Chalifoux of X Warrior Challenge is in the valley mapping out the legs of a 50-kilometre trail run to take place on September 21.
“It is incredible terrain, It’s magical,” said Chalifoux of the course they are setting up, after running the first 9-kilometre leg. He has enlisted local runner Morgan Syvertsen to help map out the course.
And what a course it will be. It will consist of four legs, making up a total 50-kilometre route. The course will take place on private land as well as a portion of the back nine of Dinosaur Trail Golf and Country Club.
Chalifoux said he has been working on setting up the event for quite some time. He contacted Mayor Heather Colberg who directed him to the local running community.
“This started last year, as far as I knew no one has ever hosted any sort of ultramarathon trail event in the badlands,” said Chalifoux.
“None of this would happen is it weren’t for Morgan. We have the resident expert.”
As this being the inaugural event Chalifoux is not sure what to expect, however, so far interest is strong. There is a limited number of spaces for racers. Runners can take on the X Ultra as a soloist or as part of a team of two or four. The race will be a challenging trail run for soloists, however, as a member of a relay team, it makes the event accessible for runners who want to get a taste of what an ultra marathon is like.
“The relay is sort of where the magic happens., when people are part of a relay team they are given the opportunity to bring a tent to base camp, set up that morning and there is a community feel, where they are in it together,” said Chalifoux.
The event includes a Friday evening pasta dinner to fuel up for the Saturday race at Dinosaur Trail Golf and Country Club. Also included in the event is a 1-kilometre kids run.
“We are hoping to connect with the Rotary Club of Drumheller and raise some funds for them, and we have a few ways of doing that. 100 per cent of the proceeds of the registration from the kids run will go to Rotary, and w are looking at some other fundraising vehicles,” said Chalifoux
He sees the potential of growing the event in the future.
“The goal is, let’s sell hotel rooms and get people into the area. The future goal would be let’s make this a multiple-day event, and really take over a whole weekend, take a little event with 200 and grow into a few thousand,” he said.
To learn more or to register, go to www.xwarriorchallenge.com
