Whitehorse Daily Star

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Photo by Marcel Vander Wier

THIS ONE’S FOR BRIAN – From left, Amelia Fraser, Tom Ullyett, Brittany Pearson-Smith and Jody Eikelboom climb a hill towards Log Trail during the final Coast Mountain Sports Trail Run of the season Sunday afternoon.

Trail enthusiasts gather in memory of late runner

The last organized trail run of the season was an emotional one for organizer Nancy Thomson.

By Marcel Vander Wier on October 20, 2014

The last organized trail run of the season was an emotional one for organizer Nancy Thomson.

With tears in her eyes, Thomson dedicated Sunday’s 15-kilometre race to the late Brian Mottus, who died Aug. 27 after complications during surgery.

Mottus, who most recently worked for Air North, was 65.

About 30 runners gathered at noon for the final Coast Mountain Sports Trail Run, based from the Chadburn Lake parking lot.

The longtime runner was a constant presence at summer races put on by Athletics Yukon, Thomson told the Star today.

“I think Brian started coming out in 2008,” she said. “He was one of the first runners to come out and he came out every week. He was one of those hard-core regulars. Some people only come when it’s nice out, but he would always be there.”

While David Eikelboom, Logan Boehmer and Tedd Tucker led the way yesterday, Thomson said the event was not timed, nor about winning.

“It was Brian’s memorial run, if you will,” she explained. “We just did a group run.”

Following the run, a smaller group met at the High Country Inn to raise a pint in Mottus’ honour, Thomson added.

“He was a very sweet man – always smiling, always very appreciative of the runs. He was a lovely man. He stayed active right till the end.”

Once, Mottus was the only runner other than Thomson to show up for a Christmas run near Long Lake.

Longtime runner Tom Ullyett said for several years, he would see Mottus on a regular basis at Tuesday and Thursday night runs.

“Brian was the kind of person that most athletes aspire to be: friendly, modest, inspiring and competitive in a very determined but understated way,” said Ullyett, who dedicated his run at last month’s Klondike Road Relay to Mottus’ memory.

Having nearly 30 runners out for the usually sparsely-attended trail run finale served to be a “fitting tribute to a fine man,” Ullyett added.

A celebration of life for Mottus will take place on Sunday at the Old Firehall from 7 to 9 p.m.

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