Manitoba’s winter endurance Actif Epica becomes Iditarod Trail Invitational qualifier
Ultra endurance winter event traverses the Crow Wing Trail giving riders the opportunity to qualify for Alaska's Iditarod
For the sixth annual Actif Epica, athletes will tackle the Crow Wing Trail traveling 200-km to Winnipeg from as far away as Emerson on February 18, 2017. Options for the event also include a 120-km race with a start in St Malo. One of Canada’s most grueling ultra endurance winter events, the Actif Epica has been given status as a qualifier for the Iditarod Trail Invitational in Alaska, the only Canadian event of the seven globally to do so.
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Iditarod Trail Invitational race director Kath Merchant welcomes the Actif Epica as a qualifier saying the event offers, “A great event that is challenging and rewarding to athletes and where they are allowed to learn about themselves, winter travel and the area in Manitoba.” Actif Epica co-organizers, Ian Hall and David Pensato expressed their excited to bring the race to a new level. “The Iditarod is really the big one,” said Hall. “Everyone who competes in these kinds of ultra-endurance winter events dreams about getting in, so for us to be a qualifier really gives Actif Epica a big boost.”
Extended to offer the 200-km race in 2017, the race whose slogan is “A Celebration of Human Resilience,” attracts athletes from California, Colorado and even Brazil. Race co-organizer Pensato said, “The combination of epic adventure with a unique cultural and geographic experience has earned us a reputation as one of the main events to check out in adventure racing and ultra-endurance communities.” Previous editions have attracted 80 registrants but with the new status more participants are expected.
The Crow Wing Trail is the longest section of the Trans Canada Trail in Manitoba and traverses the Red River through south-eastern Manitoba to the Forks. The association president of the Crow Wing Trail Murielle Bugera is happy the event makes use of the trail saying, “Our communities are excited to welcome athletes from around the world. It can be difficult for us to imagine everyone who might benefit from a 193-km continuous trail, and here we have a perfect example.”
In 2013, Canadian Cycling Magazine named the Actif Epica one of Canada’s 10 Big Rides. Registration for the 2017 edition opens on October 1.
