Whitehorse Daily Star

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Photo by Marissa Tiel

PUNISHING HILL – Derek Deuling, right, pushes through the last major uphill during the annual Vanier Ridge Run. Kids older than 12 ran a five-kilometre course, while those younger ran a shorter route.

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Photo by Marissa Tiel

DOWNHILL – Derek Deuling sets the pace coming down a long downhill during the Vanier Ridge Run on the five-kilometre course.

Hundreds turn out for annual Vanier Ridge Run

Just after 1 p.m, they took off.

By Marissa Tiel on May 24, 2016

Just after 1 p.m, they took off. The gaggle of 244 students, some wearing their school’s jerseys, others opting for their own colours raced down Duke Road before disappearing in a fit of breath into the woods.

They ran through the forest following direction from the older students posted along the course of the Vanier Ridge Run.

They ran left, following the power lines before starting up Heartbreak Hill.

Before too long, the group started to spread out, the leaders setting a punishing pace through the hilly course.

As they came down to Chadburn Lake Road, a refreshment station greeted the runners with iced tea, tunes and for the older runners, another hill.

At the top, students were rewarded with epic views of Schwatka Lake sprawling below.

The wind gusted, cooling down sweaty bodies as they carefully picked their steps down the other side of the hill before joining up with the Yukon Energy Viewpoint Trail and the flat sprint back to the school.

With the fastest time of the day was Derek Deuling, crushing the five-kilometre course in 22:38, winning the 12-13 boys category. Hannah Shier ran a 26:46 to post the fastest girls time and to win the 16-17 girls category.

On the three-kilometre course, Isaac O’Brien was the fastest boy with a time of 20:26, while Kate Mason (23:05) was the fastest girl.

Nine different schools took part in the event.

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