{"id":110358,"date":"2024-03-28T11:34:11","date_gmt":"2024-03-28T15:34:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/runningmagazine.ca\/?p=110358"},"modified":"2024-03-29T14:29:49","modified_gmt":"2024-03-29T18:29:49","slug":"under-armour-diversity-series-winnipegs-samantha-powderhorn","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/runningmagazine.ca\/ua-diversity-series\/under-armour-diversity-series-winnipegs-samantha-powderhorn\/","title":{"rendered":"Under Armour Diversity Series: Winnipeg’s Samantha Powderhorn"},"content":{"rendered":"

Under Armour has teamed up with Canadian Running to produce the Under Armour Diversity Series \u2014 an exclusive feature content series designed to highlight and promote individuals and organizations who have demonstrated a commitment to grow the sport of running, support those who are underrepresented and help others. The series will feature stories and podcasts highlighting these extraordinary Canadians who are making a difference in their communities and on the national running scene.<\/em><\/p>\n

In just a few short years, Samantha Powderhorn’s<\/strong> life transformed from one of struggle and hardship to one filled with accomplishment and resilience. Less than 10 years ago, she was struggling with obesity, battling cancer and addiction, reeling from the loss of her brother and going through a divorce and homelessness. Powderhorn’s journey has been arduous, but in 2021, everything changed when she started running.
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Time for a change<\/b><\/h2>\n

Powderhorn is originally from the Sayisi Dene First Nation, a small reserve at Tadoule Lake, a fly-in community <\/span>located half an hour (by plane) from Churchill, Man. She experienced addiction, neglect and trauma while growing up, and in 2015, she was diagnosed with cancer. Two weeks later, she lost her brother.<\/p>\n

\"Samantha
Samantha Powderhorn. Photo: Ian McCausland<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Later that year, motivated by a desire for a better life for her and her kids, she left her abusive marriage and moved to Winnipeg. \u201cI was homeless with four kids, pregnant, with four suitcases,\u201d she says. \u201cI overcame a lot that would break a lot of people, but I often think about how I grew up, and how I don\u2019t want that for my children. I\u2019ll work hard to make sure they don\u2019t have that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

During the pandemic lockdown, like many people, Powderhorn took the opportunity to be more active. She sought solace through physical activity, and in April 2021, she started running. <\/span><\/p>\n

The first time she went out, she could only run for one minute, but she was determined and willing to challenge herself, so she pushed herself out the door again the next day. <\/span>Each day, she ran a little farther than the day before. Over time, she was able to run farther, and began to believe that change was possible. Finally, one day in mid-April, she was able to run two full kilometres without stopping. When she finally paused, a song by her brother\u2019s favourite band began playing through her earbuds. \u201cI started crying, because I felt that spiritual connection with my late brother,\u201d she says. \u201cHe was always telling me to get healthy and live a healthier lifestyle, and that\u2019s when I began to love running.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Samantha
Photo: Ian McCausland<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Before long, two kilometres became four, then five. \u201cWhen I run, I really feel that it\u2019s my time to just think, feel, cry, scream and talk to myself,\u201d she says. <\/span><\/p>\n

A huge achievement<\/b><\/h2>\n

Powderhorn ran her first 10K race in November 2022, at the Polar Bear Marathon in Churchill. <\/span>That’s where she met Jim Scott, <\/b>who became her coach, helping her learn how to train effectively for longer distances, and how to avoid injury. “Sammi has adopted the culture of running, and has amazing discipline, challenging goals and determination,” says Scott. “She is an inspiration.”  <\/p>\n

A year later, Powderhorn returned to Churchill, intending to run the half-marathon. As part of her training, she participated in the 2023 Reconciliation Run<\/a> from the former residential school in Birtle, Man., back to the reserve at Birdtail Sioux First Nation, organized by Trechelle Bunn<\/strong>. Then she became injured and had to reduce her training, but she still went to Churchill to run as far as she could. <\/span><\/p>\n

\"Samantha
Photo: Ian McCausland<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

“I started running, thinking I was only doing the half, because that’s what I was training for,” she says, “but I ended up running the full Polar Bear Marathon. I am the first woman of Sayisi Dene First Nation to complete the full marathon!”<\/span><\/p>\n

The 2023 race had 20 participants line up to battle -26 C temperatures, running mostly on a gravel trail. Each participant has a driver accompany them with snacks and water and for protection from polar bears, which are routinely seen on the course. <\/span>\u201cNobody got in the car, but I did see a polar bear,\u201d she says. \u201cI would say, about 15 km into the race, not too far away\u2026 far enough that I wasn\u2019t nervous.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Powderhorn was the first female to cross the finish line, in second place overall. \u201cI\u2019m still absorbing it right now,\u201d she says. \u201cTwo years ago I couldn\u2019t even picture myself doing that\u2013I was sitting on the couch eating chips and drinking slurpees and watching TV. It\u2019s amazing how you can change your life.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Running Toward Reconciliation<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n