It’s the toughest slog in Whitehorse.

A group of about 40 runners and walkers took on Haeckel Hill Saturday morning.

Upon reaching the summit, they were greeted by sweeping rain and temperatures of six degrees.

The 6.2-kilometre route sees those who brave it gain 600 metres in elevation along a well-worn gravel road. Runners hustle to the summit, just shy of two Yukon Energy wind turbines.

David Eikelboom won the 18th annual Haeckel Hill race in a time of 35:17, less than two minutes shy of Colin Abbott’s race record of 33:24, set in 2012.

Dominic Bradford was the second to reach the top in 37:14, followed by up-and-coming stars Sammy Mather (38:18) and Darby McIntyre (39:42).

Amelia Fraser was the top female, finishing in 47:48.

Both Eikelboom and Fraser were coming off personal-best finishes in the BMO Vancouver half marathon last month.

“That was a tough workout,” said Eikelboom, 28. “As we got closer to the top, the rain and wind got harder. It’s definitely a mental battle as much as a physical battle.”

He likened it to a hike, where the challenge of getting there is rewarded by a beautiful view at the top.

“It’s a nice contrast to a flat race,” added Eikelboom, who is the president of Athletics Yukon.

“It’s great to have the running community out so we can all suffer together on the same hill.”

Eikelboom said the event served as training for the Yukon River Trail Marathon – of which he is a former champion. He also has the Hamilton Marathon Road2Hope in his sights this season.

Meanwhile, Mather continued to impress organizers with his third straight top-three finish in the gruelling event.

“It’s a great feeling to be at the top and see all of the incline I ran,” the 11-year-old said.

“By the four-km mark it was getting windy and really hard. But my biggest goal is not to walk, and I accomplished that today.”

“I like the challenge,” added race finisher Chris Cann. “The rain helped keep me cool, but I did have to stop four times for walking spells.”

Longtime race participant Tom Ullyett said the race is likely the toughest run and walk under 10 km in the territory.

“It’s even tougher than the legendary Dome Run in Dawson City,” he said. “It is truly a leg- and lung-buster. Nobody really enjoys doing it.”

It’s been a favourite and dreaded event in Whitehorse’s running and walking circuit since the 1990s when it was established by former elite Whitehorse masters cyclist and runner Michael Barton, now of Norway, Ullyett added.

In 2012, six elite cross-country skiers led by Abbott made the trek, each finishing under 36 minutes.