13-Year-Old Skis 160km
for Cancer Patients

Jessica Krejcik

Imagine covering more than 160 kilometers (100 miles) on skis over two days, with a 5-kilogram pack on your back, and spending the night along the way – outdoors.

Now imagine doing that at age 13.

The event was the 2008 Canadian Ski Marathon and the 13-year-old is Montreal native Jessica Krejcik. She became the youngest female in the marathon’s history complete the Gold Coureur des Bois (the full 160 kilometers with a pack and overnight stay).

Jessica used her cross country ski challenge to raise money for children’s cancer wards all over Canada.

She started the marathon at 5:40 a.m. on Saturday, February 9, 2008, and finished at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 10.

"I am very lucky,” Jessie said. “I get to do something that I love, cross country skiing, and to do something good at the same time. My challenge to get my gold-bar is a big one but it doesn't compare to the kids who live with cancer everyday."

The Canadian Ski Marathon (CSM) was founded in 1967 by former Canadian National Ski team member, Don MacLeod. The annual two-day event features 10 sections that span 160 kilometers through the Quebec countryside: from Gatineau, just north of Ottawa, to Lachute with an overnight stop in Montebello.

"I can't say enough about Jessica's courage," said Greg Koegl, president of the Canadian Ski Marathon. “On behalf of all CSM participants, we say ‘Go for it Jessie,’ we support you 100 percent of the way.

Jessica started skiing when she was two years old and completed her first 5km race when she was five years old. Prior to this year, she had already completed two versions of the marathon. The first, the bronze category, requires skiing the 10 sections of the course over two days. The silver category requires completing the sections with a 5-kilogram backpack. The gold standard adds the out-of-doors overnight.

Jessie’s father, Tomas, introduced her to skiing by enrolling her in the Jackrabbit program of the Laurentian ski club .