People have various reasons for wanting to tackle the Great Walk from Gold River to Tahsis.
Many raise funds for their favorite charity organimtion, but most would agree the personal challenge is the thing.
Such was the case for some Campbell River residents who battled fatigue, muscle strains and the elements June 6 to complete the 62.5-kilometre trek up and down a mountain pass, along the gravel logging road that leads into Tahsis.
For a trio of pre-teens encouraged by their parents to use the event as a fundraiser for their B.C. championship bound soccer team -- they raised $938 -- walking and jogging for 12 hours straight gave them a new realization of what they could accomplish.
"We figure if we can do this we'll win the provincials for sure," said Chris McKenzie, the brash centre forward for the Crush under-12 reps, who are in Trail-Castlegar July 9-11 for the Safeway B.C. Cup finals.
"The toughest part was getting through the last 13 K," added teammate Chris Geoghegan. "You're getting blisters and your feet are getting sore. We figured we lost 10 pounds each."
Along with third teammate Hunter Griffiths, the boys were carsick and fighting butterflies by the time they finally reached the start line. But they fought through it and got into a rhythm that carried them through until the finish.
Brigitte Killat has a pretty good idea what it takes to complete this ultramarathon event. At 71 she finished her sixth Great Walk in the past 11 years, in a personal best time of 10 hours, 50 minutes, no less.
A competitive power walker whose other main event of the year is the B.C. Seniors Games, she achieved her goal of coming in under 11 hours with time to spare. She also raised $307 for the First Open Heart Society.
"I was pretty satisfied," said Killat, who is two years younger than the event's oldest entry, Elizabeth Vos of Nanaimo. "This gives me good reason to practice all year."Accompanied by daughter Karla Wagner and husband Rudi along the route, Killat put her power walking knowledge to good use. She walked at a regular pace and jogged a bit until the downhill section, where she put herr walking into high gear.
"I'm determined to do this for as long as my legs will carry me," she said.
Distance runner Colin Buss tackled his first Great Walk with little idea of how he would approach it, but wound up treating it as a race.
He was more than pleased with his finishing time of 6:41, 17th overall, especially after he was last to register, number 883.
"All in all it was a very grueling experience," he said,adding, "you truly feel like you have completed something great when you step in the door at the hall in Tahsis."
The challenge of going the distance, and the thrill of doing so, was enough to prompt all of these athletes to say they'll take on the Walk again.
But for now, other challenges lie ahead. The Crush are practicing and still accepting donations towards their trip. Call Mar-cello Costa for more info at 923-8269.
Killat is almost a cinch to collect a power-walking medal at the Senior's Games this year, while Buss is trying his hand at running marathons in Vancouver and Victoria.
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