Team Running Free Athlete Profile: James Galipeau

Team: Team RF Abroad

Sport: Adventure - Team Running Free (or Relentless - solo)

Age: 34

Occupation: Research Associate

Home: Ottawa

About me: Born in Southwestern Ontario. I played team handball, baseball, volleyball, badminton, track & field, and bowling! Moved to Ottawa in 2000 and began my "outdoor" career - mountain biking, paddling, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and adventure racing - all for the first time. In 2008 I did my first marathon - on snowshoes in Vermont. In 2009, I did my first ultramarathon - the Ultimate XC (58km) at Mt. Tremblant.

Sports: Adventure Racing, Mountain Biking, Snowshoe Racing, Cross-Country Skiing, Ultramarathons

Athletic Accomplishments: 2009 Frontier Adventure Challenge - Fall Classic, 1st place; 2009 Hot August Nights - Duo Men's, 1st place; 2009 Angry Seagull Adventure Race, 1st place; 2009 Logs, Rocks & Steel (solo), 3rd place overall; 2009 Frontier Adventure Challenge - Huntsville, 1st place; 2009 Ultimate XC - 58km Ultra, 8th place overall; 2008 Untamed New England 3-Day AR, 2nd place; 2008 Endorphin Fix 3-Day AR, 3rd place; 2008 Pittsfield Snowshoe Marathon, 4th place overall; 2007 & 2008 Mad Trapper (10km) Snowshoe Series Champion

Athletic goals: Expedition-length Adventure Races; 100km+ Ultramarathons; 2010 Ultimate XC 3-day Race

My most catastrophic racing experience was: My first-ever bonk - during the 2007 Mad Trapper Snowshoe Series Championship (which was also the Canadian Championships). I had a huge lead in the series and nearly lost it after dropping about 15 spots during the race and finishing mid-pack. I ended up narrowly winning the championship despite a dismal finish in the final race.

My most memorable racing experience was: The challenge, scenery, and sheer vastness of the terrain in both Trans Rockies (Kootenays) and Raid the North Extreme (Prince Rupert/Haida Gwaii)

Favourite footwear, clothing, or equipment: Helly Hansen Lifa

Favourite race: Trans Rockies Challenge

Favourite race food: Cold Pizza, 2-Bite Brownies, BBQ Pringles, Crispers