I am not 100% sure what there was about this one, but this was special. Back in March, I started surfing on the event website, looking at the photos and getting to know my fellow runners in Labrador. I could have gone anywhere but I chose Goose Bay.

I had a wonderful 2009 season. I PR'd at the 20 km, half-marathon and marathon. I felt good throughout the season, light like a bird, no injury, enjoying pilling up the kilometers on the road and the trails. I wanted to be part of what was gonna be a unique experience.

Then it was marathon day. My body starts moving, I go into my little bubble. Overwhelming scenery, friendship among runners and wonderful support from the crowd. Peter and I ran together and helped each other against the head-wind for the first 32 km of the run. Then the marathon really started and it was my day. I will never live again having the RCMP opening the way for me at a road race, felt like a Kenyan!

I ran for Natasha. Natasha is my dearest cousine, my little sister, a big part of me. She died tragically the week before the marathon. I wondered if it was still right to run the marathon then I said to myself that she would have said " oh come on, go an do your marathon, run for me!" Your hospitality, your hand shakes, your smiles and huggs had so much more meaning than you could have thought! Going to Goose Bay was the right thing to do.

In memory of Natasha Cournoyer 1971 - 2009

Pierre Rousseau

Pierre Rousseau is from the Eastern Townships of Quebec!

He decided to make the Destination Labrador Trapline Marathon his fall marathon for several reasons, "After a "monster" marathon in Paris in April, I look forward to the idea of a smaller size event, running peacfully at my own rythm, not fighting around aid stations! Your marathon being in a part of Canada I don't know will also be one of the reasons to go to Labrador. Despite training outdoor all year in the cold weather of the Eastern Townships in Quebec, I have never run a marathon in the cool temperature I'm expecting in Goose Bay."

Pierre ran a 03:02:17 on April 5, 2009 in Paris with 37,000 other runners and wonders about his time on the Trapline but suggest, "this one is not about time or doing a PR but about enjoying a very long run on a fresh Saturday morning! I know myself and I will still push to give all I've got!'

Prior to the Trapline Marathon, Pierre will run 2 half-marathons in preparation for Goose Bay raising his mileage gradually to 80 km per week. He will finish the 2009 year with a 50 km trail run in San Franciso. "Trail running is a lot of fun, friendly people, very good cross-training. Everyone should try that once", recommends Pierre!

Pierre has run the Boston Marathon twice, New York and Chicago but suggest his best memories are about smaller ones like Montreal and Mount Desert Island in Maine.

"I heard about your marathon in Marathonguide, the date was perfect having no plan yet for a fall marathon. Your web site provides all the info to make it very appealling. This will be my ninth. I also like the idea of running peacefully on my own in Labrador" says Pierre.

Pierre is looking forward to his visit in Labrador and we are honored and looking forward to hosting him!

Run Full Tilt