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Meet the Minotaur: Canada’s secret trail race

Results from the third annual Meet the Minotaur mountain running race in Alberta

When training for a trail or mountain running race, it’s important to know the course. But, in the spirit of Greek mythology, the Minotaur monster does things a bit differently. Meet the Minotaur mountain race course in Crowsnest Pass, Alta. changes every year. The specific location is a secret until the day of the race so that no one is able to train on the course. Yesterday marked the third annual Minotaur race, where strong and talented trail and mountain runners tested their climbing legs, navigation skills, and resilience.

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Joanna Ford taking the win.

The full Minotaur included 19.7K with 2,250 metres of elevation gain. The half Mini-taur version of the race included 13.3K with 1,100 metres of gain. Strong and talented mountain runners toed the line and celebrated with kombucha at the finish line. With crazy climbs, loose scree, alpine weather, and bushwhacks on the descent, The Minotaur is a true mountain running race.

The 2019 Minotaur race course. Photo: Facebook

Race directors Susan Lowe-Wilde and Ian Lowe want runners to discover who they truly are. Although organizers and volunteers flagged the course, athletes tested their route-finding skills in the technical and scenic alpine while traversing over ridges in the remote wilderness. The Minotaur is a monster, and in order to complete the race, runners must face the beast while overcoming the challenges of the terrain as well as their own self-doubt.

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Half Mini-taur Results

Women
Arielle Fitzgerald (first overall) – 2:15:32
Lydia Talpash-Waco – 3:45:38
Kizzy Handford – 3:45:57

Men
Matt Reid – 2:44:52
Philippe Letailleur – 3:30:47
Caden Pichurski – 3:41:02

The Mini-taur winners. Arielle Fitzgerald, Lydia Talpash-Waco, and Kizzy Handford. Photo: Joanna Ford

Full Minotaur Results

Women
Joanna Ford – 4:15:26
Svenja Espenhahn – 4:16:22
Anna Koevoet – 4:41:18

Men
Troy Misseghers – 3:18:56
Jesse McAuley – 3:26:31
Eric Carter – 3:31:27

Recovery is going well for Fitzgerald and Ford. Just a week after setting the Livingstone Ridge Traverse FKT, the duo took the win for the full and mini distances, Fitzgerald beating the entire field by over an hour.

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