This story! Challenges accepted, new friendships created, and at the heart of it all...one of our Motivate Wraps. We couldn't be more honored to be a part of this running story from Kathryn of The Dean Routine:

It was a muggy Monday morning on July 4th, 2016 when the women of the Wild Bruce Chase team triumphantly approached the Southern Terminus of the Bruce Trail in Niagara Falls, ON. We had travelled over 900km from Tobermory to reach this destination and set a new women's relay Fastest Known Time (FKT) on the Bruce Trail. The enthusiastic cheers and flowing tears embodied the challenge, emotions and lifelong connections that occured during those four days, 1 hour and 39 minutes.

And this was only the beginning...

When the Wild Bruce Chase first started, many of us were strangers that shared a love of running and trails. Over those four days spent together on the Bruce Trail, we faced an actual bear sighting, pouring rain, vomiting, twisted ankles, getting lost, sleep deprivation, unimproved roads and moments of doubt. These obstacles caused us to bond like family and we knew we had formed a team for life. 

After our first successful FKT, we continued to support one another and celebrated each other's running and non-running accomplishments. It wasn’t long before we craved another team adventure. 

Next stop was the Rideau Trail, a 387km long trail that travels between Ottawa to Kingston. We started in Ottawa on Canada Day in 2017. The Rideau Trail brought on unique challenges that we did not experience with the Bruce Trail, including unmaintained and unmarked trails, significant flooding and trekking through areas with high tick populations. We accommodated, adapted and persevered to set the first women's FKT on the Rideau Trail in 34 hours, 40 minutes.

You would think we would be satisfied... 

Next up was our Winter FKT on the Grand Valley Trail, a 275km long trail that goes from the shores of Lake Erie to a literal pinnacle in Alton, ON. Everything about this FKT was demanding. Winter weather in southern Ontario is unpredictable at best. We ultimately finished in 29 hours and 21 minutes, awarding us with the first ever all women’s winter FKT in Ontario.

This is a bit of background on our Wild Bruce Chase team, what we enjoy doing and what we have accomplished, but the biggest question that we often get is “WHY?”

Why would you want to go through bear country at night? Why would you want to wade through flooded rivers and trek through snow and mud for fun? Why would you commit so much time to preparing and planning for an unofficial record?

The best way to provide clarification on the why behind out FKTs was to have our teammates say it in their own words: 

“Joining Wild Bruce Chase for another FKT attempt is a very special adventure for me. It’s an incredible experience to be surrounded by strong, diverse, and supportive women. Our crew works so hard to help each and every one of us run our hearts out and it’s amazing to share a collective goal. To be surrounded by great team spirit is simply special.”

“A girl can't have too many adventures lined up!”

“Because I love to run...I especially love to run trails and I have found a special group of strong women who love do it, too. When you find a group of wild women and they ask you to join them on a wild adventure...the answer is always yes!” 

These statements express that our FKTs are so much more than just running. These FKTs represent teamwork, adventure and the power of women supporting one another. 

So we are at it again... 

Starting on Friday, June 29th, we will be attempting our fourth FKT on the Ganaraska Trail at the Wild Bruce Chase. We will be travelling over 590km over three days, beginning in Port Hope, ON. This attempt will have an extra meaningful end as the FKT will be completed on a section that intersects with the Bruce Trail, where our story first began. Momentum Jewelry has been a huge supporter since we first came together as a team and will be coming along for the ride again. We use a shared Motivate Wrap as our baton for when we transition from one runner to the next. Due to the relay style of our FKTs, there are often times where we are out on the trail alone, but a glance down at our wrist reminds us that our team is always together. 

Every single step of the way.

To keep track of this story, follow Wild Bruce Chase on Instagram. If you have a special story that involves a Motivate Wraps, reach out to blog@designsthatmoveyou.com.