‘It’s really unique’: Runners lace up for frosty Winterlude Nordic Race

The cold temperatures didn’t slow down the runners of Winterlude’s first ever Nordic Race. CTV’s Camille Wilson has the story.

Runners took off for Witnerlude’s first ever Nordic Race at Jacques-Cartier Park Sunday morning while the capital was under a cold warning.

The brand-new event by Nomades du Parc is part of Winterlude and drew in hundreds of participants to take part in a 1 kilometre, 5 kilometre or 12 kilometre distances race along the Gatineau River and Leamy Lake.

“This race is to celebrate the nordicity that we have here in Canada, especially Quebec. That race is just pure fun,” Vincent Bergeron, organizer of the Nordic Race, told CTV News Ottawa.

Environment Canada issued a yellow warning-cold for the Ottawa area and the windchill was below -30 when the event kicked off at 10 a.m., but the race stayed on track.

“I’m questioning myself because it’s cold. It was a friend that said, ‘why not up sign up?’” says Ariane Lerouche, participant.

Larouche says she was excited to participate in the race and challenge herself.

“I’ll be honest. It was tough. It was not on pavement. I’m so glad I went out today to run,” says Larouche.

Dorothee Houle says it was her first time competing in a race.

“It’s my first race,” Houle says. “I do like when it’s cold outside, so it collides with the temperature of my body. So, that’s perfect for me.”

A live DJ got the participants pumped and ready.

Runners say the key to staying warm is to stay moving.

“Mind over body. Mind over body. Move your body nonstop. Move your body,” says Sophie Tessir, participant.

The timed winter race encouraged enthusiasts to embrace the joys of the winter season, have fun and take on new challenges.

The 5 kilometre first place winner, Bryer Kalavsky, is visiting the capital from the U.S and says the run wasn’t easy.

“I’ve never run in the snow before. I live in North Carolina, so it’s usually hotter down there,” says Kalavsky. “My family came here for the Winterlude festival, and we saw there’s a 5K happening and I like doing 5Ks in other places. It was really fun to do it here. It’s really unique.”

Event organizer Bergeron says the race was all about the atmosphere and what the runners make of it.

“We have a slogan that I love to say that really represents the spirit of the race. It’s race in the front, party in the back. That’s what it’s all about,” says Bergeron.

• Sign up now for daily CTV News Ottawa newsletters
• The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App