Mark your calendars for February 13: Manitoba’s larg-est outdoor bike race will be traveling through Niverville. Actif Epica is an outdoor bike and running/walking race that uses the Crow Wing Trail segment of the Trans-Canada Trail from St. Malo to Winnipeg, a distance of 125 kilometres. For those wanting more of a challenge, this year is offering a longer trek of 160 kilometres, starting in St. Malo and heading south to the Senkiw suspension bridge.
Actif Epica, a challenging race through extreme winter conditions, has been running for five years. The race promotes outdoor winter activities in each of the communities it passes through.
“First year was cycling only,” says Dwayne Sandall, Race Director. “Running was added the second year, which is when I became more involved as the founder of Trail Run Manitoba.”
The icy temperatures, windswept trails, big skies, and huge landscapes challenge ultra-endurance racers. The race takes approximately eight to 25 hours to complete, depending on the conditions.
There are roughly 50 to 70 participants each year. Sandall says that racers are mostly from Manitoba, but the race does draw people from as far as Brazil and California, along with a large group of regulars from Minnesota.
What’s Sandall’s favourite part of the race? “Being out on the race course checking conditions… in the lead up to the race and soaking in the intensity of the prairie in winter. I grew up close to the mountains, but there is still something pretty amazing about the vastness of the prairies. It’s also pretty cool to see people leaving the last checkpoint at the U of M, often late at night, with the sense of determination and relentless perseverance.”
Actif Epia is listed as a top-ten race in Canada, according to Cycle Magazine. It was also recognized as the Event of Year (under $5,000) by Manitoba Tourism in 2015.
The Niverville Arena will be the racers’ third checkpoint, where they can warm up and energize with food.
Sandall encourages people to stop by the arena when racers start to arrive, around 10:40 a.m. “It really depends on conditions, and the stragglers have to leave by 7:00 p.m.” After all, these stragglers need to then make their way to The Forks, which could take a few hours.
