A new chapter in the running rivalry of David Eikelboom and Logan Roots was written Saturday morning.

Eikelboom blazed around the Erik Nielsen Whitehorse International Airport in a record 28:42, shaving nearly one minute off Roots’ previous top course time of 29:41.

Roots, 21, did not participate in this year’s 8.35-kilometre Air North Family Fun Run after winning it the past two years.

Eikelboom, 28, was pleased to set a new benchmark in the popular family fun run which starts and finishes at one of the Air North hangars.

“I was really happy to set the new course record,” he told the Star. “I had originally intended to try to break 30 minutes, so to beat it by over a minute was a real highlight.”

Eikelboom, who was in the winner’s circle atop Haeckel Hill last weekend, said he looks up to Roots.

“Any time I can run something around the same time he has, or even faster than he has, is a big motivator for me,” he said.

“I’m really excited to see what happens next weekend in the Skagway half marathon when he, Kieran Halliday, and myself are all running the half marathon.”

Halliday finished second in this year’s Air North run in 30:08, followed by Dominic Bradford, who crossed the line in 30:36.

Roots’ last race came at the Scotiabank Calgary Marathon May 31, where he finished 19th overall in a half marathon that featured more than 3,300 participants.

His time of 1:13:49 was also good for third among men ages 20 to 24 in a race that doubled as the national half marathon championships.

Saturday’s Air North race also included a walking event, won by John Storms in 58:36. Rounding out the top three were Bonnie Love (1:00:21) and Jane Haydock (1:02:58).

Approximately 400 people, plus a few happy dogs, took part in the sixth annual race.

A rainy forecast didn’t deter participants from making an appearance at the charity event, which was followed by a pancake breakfast.

Racers’ calorie deficits were eased by Air North’s flight kitchen, who cooked up a staggering 90 pounds of bacon alongside the standard flapjacks.

“The Air North run is a great event,” added Eikelboom, the president of Athletics Yukon.

“It always brings out lots of people and is a really inclusive event. They put on a great show.”

The event also doubled as a fundraiser for the Learning Disabilities Association of Yukon (LDAY).

Each participant’s race fee, less insurance, was donated to LDAY to support those with learning differences, totalling about $1,000.

“It’s very important to us to be able to support organizations and events in the Yukon through sponsorship and outreach efforts,” said Allan Moore, Air North’s chief operating officer.

“When we created the runway family fun run, we had no expectations beyond making a fun community event.

“It’s really exciting for us that it’s become so popular.”