Author Archives: kitsmediatech

Haawa’a – Thank You 2019

Skidegate, British Columbia, Canada – Saturday July 20, 2019: This years Totem to Totem Races
Photo by Nick Didlick
Photography © Nick Didlick 2019
All Rights Reserved
Email: nick@nickdidlick.com
Phone: 01.604.202.9320
http://www.visualmediaproducer.com

Haawa’a – Thank You to Robert Davidson, James “Bussy” M’Guire, Tyler York and Shirley Pollard, Skidegate First Nation and office staff, Running Room, West Coast Resorts, Haico, Northern Savings Credit Union and insurance, Greg Stewart (O’Brien’s), the Skidegate Health Centre, Skidegate Band Maintenance Crew, the RCMP, Nick Didlick, Ruth Wheadon, the cyclists, the race support teams at Balance Rock, Miller Creek, Jungle Beach, St. Mary’s Spring and the Finish Line. Tony Cavelti, Andrea Richmond (BAT); Bree (Artee),Tammy (Sanmar). We want to thank all the volunteers who helped and came out to support the runners, some at the very last minute. Without you T2T could not happen. The organizers and the runners appreciate your time and your contribution to making race day a success.

2018 Sponsor Appreciation

Totem to Totem wishes to acknowledge and thank the people and organizations who help support T2T:

  • Robert Davidson & Eagle of the Dawn Artists Ltd – the ongoing support of Mr. Davidson is sincerely acknowledged and appreciated
  • James Sawyer of Old Massett, who carved the medals for this year’s event winners
  • Shirley Longboat of Skidegate carved the second place medals
  • Skidegate Band
  • Skidegate Health Centre
  • Haida Heritage Centre
  • Ambulance
  • RCMP
  • Nick Didlick, photographer

Race Report 2018

photo by N. Didlick

photo by N. Didlick

Totem to Totem 2018 is in the books. Results posted and 100 pics from the run are available to view and download. Special thanks to Nick Didlick for several of the beautiful pictures.
It was pretty much a perfect race day. Temperatures were cool; the skies were clear. Race Director David Seymour says, the first step in doing a race is to make it to the start line. This year we had a total of 170 people come out to walk or run the 10 km, half-marathon and full marathon – and everyone who showed up at the start line finished their event upright, healthy and, generally speaking, with a smile. Congratulations to everyone.
Our marathon is a Boston qualifier and this year we had another runner, Rebecca Black, who came third in the women’s event, qualify for Boston. Here in Canada we have thing about 4th place. We have often thought that there should be 4 places on the podium. This year’s 4th place woman in the marathon, Chandra Johnson, more than exemplified the honour and pride of being out there and doing it and working it through. Her mother ran the half-marathon and her father ran the 10 Km. But Chandra Johnson, of Port Angeles came to run her first marathon on Haida Gwaii. Her story is remarkable and she has shared it with us. We have posted a link to a video. We hope you will find a few moments to view it. Chandra has said she plans to be back to T2T next year. We look forward to seeing her.
The only record which fell this year was the number of participants in the 10 Km event. In his pre-race remarks, David Seymour, Race Director, noted that back in 2011 a total of 19 people ran the 10 km. This year a record 140 people registered for the 10 km Run to the Rock; 128 showed up on race day and ran or walked and generally had a good time finishing the 10 Km. It was impressive to see the number of young people participating – and the older ones too. Included in the 128 runners were 23 runners from Kitkatla. Ursula Jackson, Youth Co-ordinator at Kitkatla, organized the training for the group, who call themselves RIOT – Running is Our Therapy. T2T was their first 10 km. Ursula Jackson shared her feelings about getting out and completing the run.
There was also a contingent of runners from Sandspit who participated in the half-marathon taking first in the women’s half marathon and second and third in the men’s event. We hope that more people will be challenged and inspired to train to run the half-marathon and full marathon.
In addition to the runners from Kitkatla, this year’s 10K had runners from Alberta, Ontario, Manitoba, New Brunswick Germany and Japan and several cities in BC. But, of course, it is the local support which truly makes this event year after year. Five of the top 10 finishers in the men’s event and.nine of the top 15 women were from Haida Gwaii. The other notable statistic, not just for the 10 Km, but for all the events, is that the women outnumber the men almost 2 to 1.
The T2T organizers are impressed with the number of number of local participants who support T2T by coming out and also with the people who make the trip and come back to Haida Gwaii to run T2T. We are happy to see you and hope you will be able to return.
The number of runners crossing the finish line was a bit overwhelming at times for our finish line crew, but they got them all. We are so appreciative of the day the finish line crew puts in including our wonderful cheerleader. They are there for all the runners from start to finish. Thanks, as always, to Robert Davidson for the medal that each runner proudly takes away. Thanks to the bike crew who rode the course giving support to the runners, particularly the marathoners. Thanks to the volunteers at St. Mary’s Spring and the ladies at Jungle Beach and out at Miller Creek, where a pair of goats came to check out what was happening. Who knows, maybe they’ll be back again next year! And the volunteers at Balance Rock they are amazing. That first hour of your day is part of what makes T2T a race to run. The runners appreciate you all – and we, the organizers, say Howa’a to all the volunteers, sponsors and participants.

Goats at Miller Creek

My sons and I had the most fun volunteering at the Totem to Totem Marathon this year. The highlight (no offense to the runners) was the visit we had from two cheeky goats. They were quite large and at the time, we had no idea where they got loose from, so there was a moment of panic and phone calls since we were on the highway and wanted them to be safe. The goats were quite persistent and we were all scrambling to keep them from the table- after all, we had to protect the water and the goo! We eventually were able to walk them back down the path – even though the one I was “escorting’” kept trying to poke me with its horns. It turns out they lived at the end of the lane way and were not loose but rather free range pets of a very kind gentleman who later brought us watermelon (highlight #2!) and cut it up with a pocket knife on our table, keeping half for his goats as treat!
Janna Wilson

Totem to Totem race

Kitkatla Runners

Ursula Jackson brought 20 plus runners from Kitkatla to run Totem to Totem

For me, it was an emotional moment at the finish line. It took our group 14 weeks to plan, organize and fund raise. With the love and support from community, family and friends we made it! We came and we completed what we to Haida Gwaii to do, not only for ourselves but for our loved ones that we hold in our hearts.

As I ran towards the finish line, my eyes filled with tears, tears of joy! My legs felt so weak at one point, but I found it within myself to push harder as I heard the cheers! To see the finish line cheerleader (Sue Gladstone) waving her pom-poms and my mother hollering, “Come on! You can do it!” To receive such a beautiful metal at the finish line. It was so unexpected. The medal is a wonderful keepsake for each and every one of us. I have a gifted mine to my father, Terry Jackson, for he is who I dedicated my run to. He recently found out he has prostate cancer and will be starting his treatment soon. He did the walk with my oldest son.

All the high fives & hugs once we crossed the finish line was overwhelming feeling of excitement and joy! Thank you to all the Totem to Totem organizers for the special memories I shall cherish always.

10K medals

Our Sponsors

Totem to Totem wishes to acknowledge and thank the people and organizations who help support T2T:

  • Robert Davidson & Eagle of the Dawn Artists Ltd – the ongoing support of Mr. Davidson is sincerely acknowledged and appreciated
  • James Sawyer of Old Massett, who carved the medals for this year’s event winners
  • Tyler York of Skidegate, who carved the medallions for the 2nd place marathoners
  • Ambulance, RCMP, Band, Health Centre, Haida Heritage Centre, etc.
  • Nick Didlick, photographer

 

Thanks – Howa’a

Thanks – Howa’a – to all the volunteers who helped make T2T a success – at Balance Rock, Miller Creek, Jungle Beach, St. Mary’s Spring, the Finish Line Crew and our inimitable Cheer Leader who was at the finish line to cheer on every runner.
A Special Thanks to the Bikers. Many of the runners commented how your presence on the road was truly appreciated.
More than one said how much the question: What Do You Need? was just the right thing to say. A special thanks to the Skidegate First Nation for the salmon bbq at this year’s event and the women who worked to put it together.
T2T could not happen without you. Howa’a

Johanna Price

2017 Race Report

The weather on Haida Gwaii this summer was cool and wet. It rained hard race day morning, but about an hour before the start the rain stopped. The day stayed cool, with the odd shower, but, essentially, from the start until the last marathoner came in, the rain stayed away. For the runners, it was pretty much perfect race conditions.
Our race this year was dedicated to Jaylund Russ. Undoubtedly inspired by Jaylund, Desi Collinson, a long-time Saints player, won the 10 km run, and Jaylund’s father, Frank Russ, came third. Marco Calara of Surrey was second in the Men’s event. Julie Iverson, a past 10 km winner, took first place again this year, with Margaret Ormand of Queen Charlotte and Caitlin Meredith – the last runner to sign up for the 10 km – coming third. The turn out for the 10 km run was great, with kids and families and dogs – who ran with people, not on their own. We had a good number of participants who turned out to walk the 10 km.
Participation in the half marathon was down this year from 2016. Nevertheless, a new record was set in the women’s event by Adrienne Kaul of Terrace, with a time of 1:31:16. Carmen French of Kamloops and Wendy Geisbrecht of Cecil Lake rounded out the top three. Special congratulations to May Russ and Delavina Lawrence of Old Masset, who walked the half marathon.
Ryan Barber of Queen Charlotte, who ran the full marathon last year, won the half-marathon this year. Christopher Lightfoot of Prince Rupert took second place, while Dale Robinson, another past marathoner and 10 km participant, took third. Ben Davidson and Bernie Howlett came out again to run the half. Brody Rogers, who had some trouble with blisters early in the race, finished strong. Brody, at the age of 10, is the youngest finisher in the half-marathon at T2T. He beat his father across the finish line.
The men’s marathon was won by Dave Medicus of Colorado. James Thompson posted another sub-4 hour marathon , coming second in this year’s race. Darcy Venne of Calgary finished third. On the women’s side, Anna Kessler of Edmonton came first, Johanna Price of Calgary came second and Marilyne Tovar of Masset took third. Both Dave Medicus and Johanna Price qualified for the Boston Marathon.
Finishing a marathon by anyone’s standard is a real achievement. To the ladies from Prince Rupert who came to run it together, to Shannon, Leah, Yoolina, Donna, George and David congratulations. Two of this year’s participants have run more than their share around the world, finally coming to Haida Gwaii. Maria Pemberton of Vancouver ran her 61st marathon and Garrath Douglas of Calgary ran – well – he’s lost count – but he thinks it’s somewhere close to 80.
Congratulations to everyone who ran this year. Thanks – Howa’a – to all the volunteers.