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On the run in… Iqaluit, Nunavut

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Nunavut’s capital Iqaluit, on Baffin Island in Canada’s   Arctic, is a place of extremes. Accessible only by plane or by boat,   it’s extremely remote yet also has most of the conveniences of   other Canadian capitals. The landscape surrounding the city of   about 7,000 is rugged but beautiful. Inclement weather, especially   in the winter, is nothing unusual here. And the running   around the community is spectacular.

The runs listed here follow roads, but don’t feel like you have to   stick to them. With a few safety precautions, such as taking a gps   and telling someone where you’re going, there’s nothing stopping   you from exploring the hills and tundra all around town.   The hard-packed snowmobile trails are easy to follow when   there’s snow on the ground and the rock of the Canadian Shield   makes for fun footing when there isn’t.

1. Short 4K – The Ring Road   Running Iqaluit’s Ring Road is a great way to see   the community. You’ll pass by the igloo-shaped   St. Jude’s Anglican Cathedral, City Hall, two of   Iqaluit’s uniquely shaped schools as well as other   local landmarks. The circuit directly around the   downtown core is only 2.2k. So, to add a bit more   distance, continue up the Road to Apex and connect   to Paunna – the view of Frobisher Bay from the top   of the hill is worth it – before dropping back down   to Ring Road.

2. Medium 7K – The Road to Nowhere   Yes, that’s what this road is actually called. Despite   the name, this gravel road actually ends at the local   shooting range. It begins at the intersection with the   Apex Road before climbing out of town. As soon as   the road turns at the edge of the community, Iqaluit   disappears. The Road to Nowhere then curves its way   through a series of hills and over a stream. Out on   the land without a building in sight, it’s easy to feel   as though you are, well, in the middle of nowhere on   the tundra. It’s a little over 3.5k from the beginning to   the end of the road, for a 7k out-and-back, but usually   winds up being about 10k by the time you get to and   from the start of the road.

3. Long 22K – End-to-End   This run takes you to either end of Iqaluit’s road network. Follow the Apex Road up and then   down a long gradual hill to the small community a few kilometres away, a sort of Iqaluit suburb.   Before crossing the bridge over the river just before town, turn down towards Frobisher Bay – the   turnaround for this section is at the old Hudson’s Bay buildings (now houses) on the edge of the   water. Then continue back into Iqaluit, turning right up another thigh-burning hill towards the   Plateau subdivision. Weave through some of Iqaluit’s newest homes before heading back out of   town. You’ll then climb a gravel road past Upper Base, a former American military site, and down   another hill to the local gravel pit. From there, turn around again and head back into Iqaluit,   enjoying the view on your way.

Paul Moore

 

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