Castle Roche
By Leslie Ann Bent
This has been an exciting first week on our virtual route challenges. Everyone has been welcoming in the new year with some really great runs & walks and in many cases, really outdoing themselves. Seven “fabulous” prizes have already been won.
Giant’s Causeway Challenge, Coastal Ireland
Two teams made it to the Emerald Isle of Ireland. Known for its scenic beauty, lush greenery, Guiness, castles & ruins, the U2 rock band, and Irish Cream, our STARR runners and walkers will have lots to enjoy over the next 500km.
They all got off to a great start, exiting Dublin with no difficulties, and quickly passing the less interesting industrial areas of Dublin’s outskirts. The first milestone destination was Dundalk (80km) with its famous Norman castle. Castle Roche can be seen from miles around. Joldine found the first hidden prize there – an Emerald Island treat bag! I personally think she was also interested in experiencing the famous air trampoline park in Dundalk, but maybe I’m wrong.
While Joldine was having fun in Dundalk, Kari easily passed her making her way to the beach in Newry but not before stopping at the famous Newry Cathedral (1829) to find the next hidden treasure under a pew – the book Dubliners by James Joyce. Perhaps it had been there for a while.
Sue had a great week too, edging through Newcastle (at 155km) to admire the great bake shops and beaches. She found our hidden prize – a bag of Irish Cream Lindt chocolates under a chair. The question is, will she share?
The Causeway Coasters continued north, stopping in Downpatrick to take in some Irish history. They admired the site of St Patrick’s first stone church and wondered if he was in fact buried there as the Irish believe. They passed Strangford by a couple of kilometers and stopped to rest at the Quarry Hill Church Lodging.
Team A is strong and steady making their way north but also taking their time to see the sites. They decided to rest at Annalong – a quaint seaside village to finish the week reading and admiring the views of the Mourne Mountains. The Annalong Cornmill dates to the early 1800s and also provides a place of interest.
The Gold Rush Challenge (724km)
On the other side of the world, three STARR teams are embracing the wild wilderness, winter trekking by travelling along the Klondike Gold Rush trail from Skagway, Alaska to Dawson City, Yukon. 2023 marked 125 years since the Gold Rush. There are 3 ways to experience the Gold Rush - buy gold, discover the stories and follow the route. Ten STARR runners are following the route!
All have left Skagway, Alaska and managed to trek the Chilkoot trail despite parts of it being officially closed to flooding. What’s a little flood trail damage to our STARRs? The Canadian side is open so somehow each team managed to make it over the border. This area is rugged and steep, and many of our runners have been put to the challenge. Sarah was the first to cross the Alaska/BC border (at 73km) and found the first hidden prize on the Gold Rush route - The Complete Book of Women’s Running (Runner’s World). She’ll have lots of lonely days on this route to read and pick up some tips! Along the route the other team members may have stopped at the log cabin or the Tutshi Sled Dog Tours. Yes, in these parts of BC, there is snow and there is sledding! Despite few signs of any community, the silent tranquility of the southern part of the route with majestic mountains and lakes will take your breath away. No wonder some linger.
Part way through the week, Danny somehow passed Sarah, and was the first to arrive at the Caribou Crossing Trading Post, just past Carcross (115km). There he found a Gold Rush scratch card. Perhaps he’ll be luckier than those panning! While Danny was contemplating his potential win, Jackie took the opportunity pass him, heading to the Traveling Light B&B (150km) to get first pick of the best room in the house and discover the next hidden treasure – a cookbook using superfoods.
While Jackie was snoozing and figuring out her next meal, Robin passed her, and made it to Whitehorse first. There he found a Whitehorse log skyscraper mug as a souvenir to take home once his travels are done. Jill finished the first week for their team, getting fairly close to the Yukon Horse packing Adventures on the base of Fox Lake.
The Gold Diggers are taking their time, admiring the scenic beauty and pacing themselves for a long month of short dark days and waiting for Marika to shake her nasty sick bug. They are now all healthy and en route. They spent some time in Carcross. With a population of about 300 in such a rural setting it looked like a fine place to stop. They refuel with a coffee before heading north. In 10km, they will be able to rest at the Traveling Light B&B on Hwy 2 now that The Boone’s Crew has left and made room for them.
Lastly, the Klondicitis had a fantastic week, with all members exceeding their goal for the first week. After Sarah’s win, the team opted to focus on moving forward. They opted not to stop at the Caribou RV Park, nor detour to the Northern Lights Resort & Spa. Instead, they plowed through Whitehorse, and set up camp just north of Upper Laberge, where the Yukon River widens.
Congratulations to all of our teams. We’re off to a great start. Who will win next week’s prizes?
RESULTS WEEK 1
Giant’s Causeway (Goal 500km)
Causeway Coasters – Ken (46km), Joldine (35.6km), Leslie Ann (50.4km), Sue (64.1km) = 196km (39% complete). Just past Strangford, Northern Ireland
Team A – Maggie (47km), Justin (15km), Donna H (16.4), Kari (41.2km), Bri (21km) = 140.6km (28% complete) Annalong, Northern Ireland
Gold Rush (Goal 724km)
Boone’s Crew – Danny (120km), Jackie (39.39km), Robin (41.5km), Jill (44.06km) – 244.95km (34% complete)
Klondicitis – Sarah (90km), David D. (70km), Paul (68.9km) – 228.9km (31.6% complete)
The Gold Diggers – Andy (51.5km), Ian (56km), Marika (32.5km) – 140km (19.3% complete)