Polar bears, wolves and frigid temperatures don’t deter runners in annual Churchill marathon [Video]

The first Sayisi Dene First Nation woman to ever run the Polar Bear Marathon in Churchill, Man., says she’s caught the “marathon bug” as she prepares to run the race for a second time Saturday.

Samantha Powderhorn, who lives in Winnipeg but grew up in Tadoule Lake — approximately 330 kilometres west of Churchill and 1,000 km north of Manitoba’s capital — said the risk of encountering wildlife like polar bears and wolves doesn’t faze her. 

Instead, she’s motivated to participate in the race by the perseverance of her ancestors — nomadic people that followed the caribou and survived various challenges. 

“If they could do that, I know I could do it, and it gives me so much power and courage and bravery,” Powderhorn said. 

“I feel like I’m home, if that makes sense, when I’m running there in Churchill.”