Who is Ihor Verys?

In 2015, Ihor Verys of Chornomorsk, Ukraine, arrived in Manitoba on a student visa. He has never returned. Now 28 and based in Chilliwack, B.C., he has taken up trail running, racking up victory after victory at some of Canada’s toughest races. Despite his success, he brings a humble self-awareness born of hardship, loss and gratitude

Keeley Milne

It’s May, 2022 when I first meet Ihor Verys. We are both running loops at the inaugural B.C. Backyard Ultra in Salmon Arm. Sporting a blue baseball cap with UKRAINE on it, the Chilliwack-based 28-year-old is smiling and friendly. Tall, with powerful legs, he runs with a metronomic gait, appearing completely relaxed even after 24 hours—the point at which I drop out, having achieved my goal of 100 miles. Other athletes, aware that the previous fall, he won the very challenging Finalyson Arm 100K on Vancouver Island—his first ultra—are clearly in awe of him. Verys won again in Salmon Arm, with 39 “yards” (6.71-km loops, run every hour until only one person is left)—i.e., a total of almost 262 km over a 39-hour period. His win earned him a spot on…

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Canadian Running (Digital) - 1 Issue, Trail Special 2023

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