Before the day’s events started, Race Director David Seymour dedicated T2T 2019 to past elected Chief, Willard Wilson.
We would not be here today if it was not for Willard and his Council giving the go ahead to do this run. Okay, it’s true, it took him a little time to think about it and he thought we were a little nuts, but he was willing to give his support because he saw the benefit the race and participation in it would have for Skidegate and the broader community here on Haida Gwaii. But never, in his wildest imagination did he think that runners would come from around the world – the United States, Australia, the Phillipines, Germany, the Netherlands, Thailand, Switzerland, Great Britain, to name a few. And they have come from across Canada. This year we have runners from the Yukon, Alberta, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba and from all parts of British Columbia. And, of course, we have runners here from Tlell, Queen Charlotte City, Masset, Port Clements and Skidegate. Willard would be blown away to see you all here today – and he would be – he is – so proud to know you’re here.