April 1, 2009 (Sisimiut, Greenland) – For the 2009 Arctic Circle Race (ACR) 122 brave Nordic skiers took to the start line scheduled from March 27-29, for 13th running of the event. Touted as the world’s toughest ski race competitors traverse 160km over three days. However, when race day arrived with temperatures dropping, fresh snow, and high winds organizers were forced to cancel the start on Friday shortening the event to just two days – the toughest just got even tougher. To make sure that the event lived up to it’s claim as the world’s toughest the race, the two-day total distance was increased to 122km with participants skiing 63km on day one, and 59km on day two.

Over the course of its 13 years the ACR has become the ultimate challenge for those with the world’s great ski marathons under their drink belt and are looking for more. It is as much a test of mental toughness as it is physical. It was -17 C (0 F) when the race began on Saturday morning with clear skies and a light wind. Over the course of the 2-day race participants ascended over 2,500m (8,200 ft) of total climb, spent a night in a tent with temps hovering around -25 C (-13 F), and ate food in the camp that they had to prepare themselves. It’s required that every competitor begin the race each day with a backpack weighing no less that 5kg and must weigh at least 3 kg upon arrival to camp. The backpacks contain a survival kit which includes a whistle, foil blanket and a warming bag similar to something worn in a potato sack race, along with enough food for 24 hours, and a change of base layer clothing, hats, glove etc. Once the athletes arrive at the camp their larger luggage bags are available with whatever clothing, sleeping bag, food etc they may have packed. The camp is on a lake about a 45-minute snowmobile ride from the town and competitors’ bags are transported to the camp by a Piston Bully towing a 20 ft trailer. A hole similar to one used for ice fishing was the source of drinking and cooking water while in the camp.

Germany’s Thomas Freimuth won the 2009 event with a time of 8:25 hours. A full 19 minutes ahead of 3-time champion Oystein Slettemark of Greenland. After day one Freimuth had a lead of 11 minutes over ACR veteran Simon Dreyer of Switerzland. Last year’s champion Jonas Thor Olsen was in 4th. During day two only Dreyer was able to match the pace of Freimuth – a member of the Subaru Fischer marathon team – but fell back later in the stage to finish about 4 minutes off. Dreyer made up enough time on day 2 to take over second spot from Slettemark who settled for third. When asked if the event was truly the world’s toughest Freimuth replied, “Yes, for sure it was the toughest. I am glad it was only two days. I only slept for 2 hours last night.” There is a great humbleness amongst these athletes, often heard referring to those who beat them as the “stronger skier.” There are no excuses about wax, skis, or tactics.

Niviag Chemnitz Berthelsen of Greenland, at 20 years old, won the women’s race in just over 11 hours. In second was 10-time women’s champion Uiloq Slettemark also of Greenland and wife of men’s third overall finisher Oystein Slettemark. Only minutes separated the women after day one but Berthlesen proved stronger on day two increasing her lead to almost 20 minutes.

Three friends from Canmore, Alberta were the lone North American competitors at this year’s event. Norbert Meier, Neil Robinson, and Eric McAvity all completed in the 2-day race, an event they had been planning to enter for 10 years. “We’ve been talking about doing the race for years and since we aren’t getting any younger we decided this was the year,” commented the 58-year-old Meier. Unlike most of the competitors who sought the warmth inside the race building soon after crossing the finish, Meier – the first of the three to complete the race – waited at the finish line to greet his long time friends as they completed their 122km journey. For many it’s not about how fast they could complete the event but more to test themselves and be a part of a very challenging experience in a unique part of the world.

Located just above the arctic circle, Sisimiut is the second largest town in Greenland next to the capital city of Nuuk. There are no roads connecting Sisimiut so inhabitants must either fly, snowmobile, or use dog sleds for winter transport. The entire Arctic Circle Race is run by volunteers, many of whom spend days out at the camp preparing for the participants arrival. The main tents for the kitchen and drying clothes are assembled two weeks prior to the race, and the 2-person tents the athletes stay in are set up one week in advance. There are drink stations every 7-10km along the course where athletes are greeted with cheers, smiles, a warm drink and cookies or chocolate. The kindness of the Greenlandic people is perhaps the most endearing feature of the race.Their infectious smiles and child-like laughter can warm even the coldest competitor.

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