Racers face icy conditions

Runners bundled up for the fifth annual Hypothermic Run on Sunday.

The half marathon had 44 registered participants race in the wind and snow. Running Room Ltd hosted the event in support of the Multiple Sclerosis Society Thunder Bay Chapter. The run started at the Founders Museum off Highway 61.

Danny Larose, 25, finished first with a time of 1:37:16. He said he has participated in 18 marathons in seven year but today was his first win in Thunder Bay.

"It was cold, it was windy and it was slippery," Larose said. "The last kilometer was tough. I slipped and I thought I twisted my ankle. I came out here to have fun and enjoy the weather. I didn’t enjoy the weather so much but I love the course."

Deborah Frederickson, 54, said she couldn’t believe she was the first women to cross the finish line. She finished the race with a time of 1:57:15. She said snow flew in her face and was cold at the beginning of the race but overall it wasn’t a bad day.

"I’ve ran in colder conditions," Frederickson said. "I think it was the third time they were running the half marathon and I’m not sure of what the exact temperature was but I think it was –35 Celsius with the wind-chill. Everyone had icicles on their ears and their faces were just covered with frost. I don’t know how I ran it."

Frederickson said it's more difficult running in the winter as she found it harder to breathe and her muscles tightened up faster.

David DePiero, assistant manager with Running Room Ltd, said the participants ran on a rolling course packed with snow and slick roads.

The first leg of the race had participants run down Gillespie Road and then continued down Candy Mountain Drive. Participants then did a loop to finish back at the museum.

"It is an event that takes training and dedication to do," DePiero said. "(With winter running) you lose traction because of the ice, so you slow down and your body isn’t operating as quickly in the cold weather. It is a challenging race."

This is the second year Running Room Ltd held the event in support of the MS Society. Laura Zaina, special events coordinator for the MS Society Thunder Bay Chapter, said the money raised would go towards new equipment for the MS Society and patients, and a new racing clock for Running Room.

Traditionally people diagnosed with multiple sclerosis are between the ages of 15 and 40. However, Zaina said children as young as 2-years-old can be diagnosed with the disease.

"You don’t always know if people have MS," Zaina said. "It affects a lot of people. To be out there and talk about it a bit more helps a lot too."

Zaina said last year the half marathon raised $450 for the MS Society. The total amount raised this year was not readily available.