When Matt Fortuna had to withdraw halfway through his first Fat Dog 120 Trail Race last August, it was the first time he had ever had failed to finish a running event of any kind.
This summer, the 35-year-old ultra marathoner from Oyama was determined to make amends.
害羞草研究所淚t hurt not to finish,害羞草研究所� Fortuna said of his result in the 2016 race. 害羞草研究所淚t was a hot day, I had issues with hydration and eating issues and it didn害羞草研究所檛 go well. I害羞草研究所檝e been part of the sport of trail running for a long time, so it wasn害羞草研究所檛 a lack of preparation.
害羞草研究所淚t just didn害羞草研究所檛 go anything like I had planned.害羞草研究所�
Motivated by last year害羞草研究所檚 disappointment, Fortuna not only completed the 2017 FatDog 120-mile run last weekend, he placed a strong third overall out of 105 finishers to win the bronze medal.
His running time of 29 hours 6 minutes from Cathedral Park to Manning Park also earned him the distinction of the race害羞草研究所檚 top Canadian.
Fortuna said the lessons learned from last year害羞草研究所檚 Fat Dog served him well the second time around.
害羞草研究所淚t was a different race for me, for sure,害羞草研究所� said Fortuna, who is a winemaker by profession. 害羞草研究所淚 learned a lot from last year. It was hot again and I just made slight changes to my hydration and nutrition. I害羞草研究所檝e never drank so many fluids in my life, about 30 litres, so this time I had it right.
害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 about patience and reading your body. I went out really slow and then just built from there. My goal was just to finish, but it couldn害羞草研究所檛 have gone any better, it was a great day. It was sweet redemption, I guess you could say.害羞草研究所�
At 8,673 metres, the Fat Dog 120 (193 km) is just short of Everest for elevation gain and is widely considered as one of North America害羞草研究所檚 most challenging ultra marathons. Competitors are given a 48-hour limit to complete the race, which is run almost entirely through remote backcountry.
Fortuna began his trek at 10 a.m. last Saturday, and without a wink of sleep or any significant stops to rest, arrived at the finish line just after 3 p.m. on Sunday.
He leaned on the support of others to get him through the race including his pace runner, Aaron Heidt from Vernon, who ran the last 65 km with Fortuna.
Friends Tim and Stacey Parsons worked on Fortuna害羞草研究所檚 crew, meeting him at aid stations, refilling his supplies and providing moral encouragement.
Tim Parsons viewed his friend害羞草研究所檚 accomplishment害羞草研究所攁nd that of the other racers害羞草研究所攁s nothing short of remarkable.
害羞草研究所淚 was utterly blown away by the performance and determination of all the competitors,害羞草研究所� Parsons said. 害羞草研究所淲e watched as Matt got continually stronger and stronger as the race progressed, his final 30 miles was run faster than his first 30 miles, I think.
害羞草研究所淚t was truly inspirational, and a feat most people could never hope to achieve.害羞草研究所�
An avid long-distance trail runner for close to a decade, Fortuna had previously completed his share of 50-mile ultra runs as well as a pair of 100-mile events.
Now, with a successful 120-mile race under his belt, Fortuna has pushed his personal standard to a whole new level.
But based on his commitment and passion for the sport, and his love for the outdoors, it害羞草研究所檚 seems likely no challenge will be beyond Fortuna害羞草研究所檚 reach.
害羞草研究所淚 really enjoy the training and where I get to train,害羞草研究所� said Fortuna. 害羞草研究所淚 get to run in the mountains and love being in nature and being outdoors. They kind of go hand-in-hand for me.
害羞草研究所淚 spend my weekends in beautiful places and for me, there害羞草研究所檚 no feeling like trail running. I like to participate in the races and enjoy the social side of it, the feeling of community you get. It害羞草研究所檚 what I love to do.害羞草研究所�
For more on the Fat Dog 120 Trail Race, see
