Approximately 70 runners and cyclists will be going through communities in southeastern Manitoba this Saturday as they take part in the winter ultra-marathon Actif Epica.

Organizer Scott Wiebe says the outdoor race follows the historic Crow Wing Trail which starts at Emerson and goes through the communities of St. Malo, St.Pierre, Niverville, and St. Agathe on it’s way to the Forks. He notes there are three race distances, a 200-kilometre bike race from Emerson, a 162-kilometre run from Ridgeville, and a 120-kilometre race for both cyclists and runners from St. Malo.

Actif Epica’s slogan is Celebrate Human Resilience. Wiebe says racers will certainly be doing that this year as they run in the winter cold. He notes the cold is actually preferable.

"Sometimes the temperatures can be too warm and participants get overheated and then they sweat and that sweat freezes on their clothes and as a result, they cool down and it actually creates more problems than if it were a little bit colder. Typically what we are hoping for is temperatures from minus 10 to minus 20."

Lynn Estes, a 60-year-old man from Minnesota, will start his cycling trip from St. Malo on Saturday. He said it will take him 14 to 18 hours to arrive at The Forks, noting he will stop at checkstops and rest periodically.  

"There are checkpoints that we stop at to refuel a bit, to make sure that everything is all warm enough to continue," said Estes.

The route Estes has chosen is a 120 km long, but outdoor cycling marathons are nothing new for him. He's taken part in Actif Epica before, as well as other winter races including Arrowhead 135, Tuscobia Winter Ultra, and Iditarod Trail Invitational.

Wiebe says the Crow Wing Trail Association, which includes representation from the RM’s of Ritchot and De Salaberry as well as the communities of St. Pierre and Niverville, has been instrumental in the continued success of Actif Epica.

"A gal named Muriel, the president of the Crow Wing Trail is a huge asset to us. They actually take charge of the St. Pierre checkpoint and provide food for participants there and provide some other support for us as well. They are a massive asset overall to how this event runs."

Wiebe says athletes will be trickling through the Southeast all day Saturday as the longest race times could be up to 36 hours depending on the discipline.