A surgeon from Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre is set to participate in the TOR330 – Tor des Géants event in Italy next week. Andrew Smith will take on the 330-kilometre ultramarathon starting on Sept. 13 in Courmayeur, aiming to finish before 6 p.m. on Sept. 19 after up to 150 hours of racing.
Describing it as a significant event in Italy, Smith highlighted the challenging nature of the ultramarathon, which involves running day and night, covering 24,000 meters of elevation gain through scenic trails in the Alps, Gran Paradiso Natural Park, and Mont Avic Regional Park.
Participants in the TOR330 – Tor des Géants have the flexibility to determine their rest stops and duration, with the winner being the one who completes the course in the shortest time. Smith mentioned relying on hallucinations as indicators for rest breaks, emphasizing the importance of proper training and fueling to manage the effects of sleep deprivation.
Having previously competed in ultramarathons like the Moab 240 Endurance Run, Smith will tackle the TOR330 without pacers, supported by his crew at designated aid stations. He expressed his motivation to push his limits and explore the potential of endurance events on both physical and mental levels.
Smith acknowledged the challenges of training for such demanding races in Thunder Bay, where he had to simulate elevation hikes on treadmills, along with benefiting from a training camp in Switzerland for more specific preparation. Reflecting on the support from his family, friends, and fellow runners, Smith expressed gratitude for the experience and camaraderie that fuel his determination to cross the finish line in Italy.