‘There’s nothing that’s impossible’: Halifax woman completes Canadian Death Race in Rocky Mountains
Most people would have said, “Nope, not for me,” as soon as they heard the title: Canadian Death Race.
But not Kimberley MacKenzie.
The Nova Scotia woman was among hundreds to sign up for the ultramarathon -- a race less than half the competitors finished.
Known as the Canadian Death Race, the 125-kilometre ultramarathon sends participants through the Rocky Mountains in Grande Cache, Alta. Between three mountain summits, one river crossing, and 17,000 feet of elevation change, the race isn’t for the faint of heart.
So how did MacKenzie do it?
“It took a lot of concentration and focus,” she said. “You run, walk, crawl, swim in some places. It’s rocky, it’s windy, it’s cold.”
The race, which began back in 2000, took place between July 31 and Aug. 1.
“My perception of the race, where I was at, what I was doing, I really felt alone,” MacKenzie explained. “That is when my mind started to say, ‘You have nothing to prove.’”
Despite the blisters on her feet and aching knees, hips, and back, she pointed out that it’s all mind over matter.
“You really need to take control of your mind and keep going to get around that mental barrier,” she said.
MacKenzie completed the five-leg ultramarathon with two-and-a-half minutes to spare -- a feat that proved too grueling for many of her competitors.
“I come out feeling stronger mentally, physically, and emotionally. I guess that would be why I chose to do it,” she said. “I am no one special. I am not above average, I am not extraordinary. But I hope anybody that sees this knows that there’s nothing that’s impossible if you set your mind to it.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
'Sophisticated' cyberattacks detected on B.C. government networks, premier says
There has been a "sophisticated" cybersecurity breach detected on B.C. government networks, Premier David Eby confirmed Wednesday evening.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs to start for Canucks in Game 1 vs. Oilers
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs will start in net for the Canucks as Vancouver kicks off a second-round series against the Edmonton Oilers Wednesday night.
Nijjar murder suspect says he had Canadian study permit in immigration firm's video
One of the Indian nationals accused of murdering British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar says in a social media video that he received a Canadian study permit with the help of an Indian immigration consultancy.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.