On the run in… Iqaluit, Nunavut
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