Fogen ready for 316-kilometre trek

By Mo Cranker on January 26, 2018.

mcranker@medicinehatnews.com @MHNmocranker

For most people, running 316 kilometres in a week would be nothing short of torture.

For Hatter Karen Fogen, it’s something she does because she loves it.

Fogen will fly to New Zealand next month for a stage race, which consists of running seven legs over seven days for a total of 316 kilometres. Each stage must also be completed in a certain amount of time.

“For me, it’s just something I enjoy doing,” said Fogen. “I really love running, and I love trail running. This race will all be out in the rugged country, following markers as we go. We’ll be running by lakes, valleys, rivers and even climbing up and down some of the mountains. I love the challenge, and I love the distance. Having that endurance is fun, and I even just enjoy researching which ones I want to run. It’s a really unique way to see some countries.”

This is not Fogen’s first go at a run like this, she took down a 275-kilometre race at the Grand Canyon a few years back, and races in 100-plus kilometre races when she has the opportunity.

“The race at the Grand Canyon was beautiful and a great experience,” she said. “This one is in New Zealand and it starts at the base of New Zealand’s highest mountain. We start there and end up at a small town called Omaru at the end of the seventh day — at the end of the 316 kilometres.”

Fogen does not have any family or friends making the trip, but she does have some friends she has met over the years at various runs. She says races like this pose various challenges.

“I’m doing the race self-supported, meaning that I carry everything I need, except for the tent and water,” she said. “Obviously endurance is a big one, but if you practise what you need to, you’ll be prepared. The mental side can be hard for people. Sometimes you get to that point where you don’t know if you’ll make it. That can be the biggest challenge for people — it’s important to be able to get past that, especially in race like this.”

Fogen’s longest day will be an 86.6-kilometre trek on the third day of the race, which she will have 34 hours to complete. At 53 years of age, she says it is all about being ready for the task.

“It’s just about being in shape,” she said. “I do this because I love to do it, which makes it a lot easier for me to do. It’s something you have to want to do. I hope I can stay healthy for a long time, so I can keep doing races like these. This is my kind of fun.”

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