How much do you walk in an eight-and-a-half hour day?
If you're Wendy Montgomery, about 100 kilometres.
The Brackendale resident quietly and without fanfare broke the Canadian women's record for running 100 km on Canadian soil in Victoria May 7. The North Vancouver native began the 19th annual Harriers Elk/Beaver Ultramarathon and eight hours, 37 minutes, 51 seconds later, she'd achieved something no other woman in Canada has done before.
"I was pleased with the record," said Montgomery, "especially the course record because it was not an easy one to break. So much goes through my head when I am running a 100km including 'Why am I doing this!' but crossing the finish line, no matter how long it takes, is the greatest reward. And in the end, it is all that matters."
Montgomery matter-of-factly describes a training schedule that includes running 110 km a week. She picked up a love for the sport when her grade four teacher had the class begin the day with a morning run. She competed in high school but took up the sport in earnest in 1997. And since then has competed in numerous 100 km runs and last year placed 18th for Team Canada in the Netherlands.
Montgomery can thank good genes, among other things, for her accomplishment. Her sister Carol Montgomery was a member of the Canadian Olympic triathlon team in 2000 and 2004 and her mother, who will turn 75 this month, is a competitive runner who holds a number of Canadian age group records.
Montgomery has another three 100 km races this year as well as two marathons, and Team Canada once again chose her to represent her country for the World 100 km in Japan.
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