Death Race brings brave souls to Alberta

This coming August 2 and 3 is the ninth North Face Canadian Death Race. From the article:

The Death Race plays on the Greek myth of Charon, the ferryman who ushered the souls of the dead across the river Styx and into Hades for a fee of one gold coin per soul.

Oh. Well that's kind of a letdown. What about this coin?

Each of the 1,000 or so entrants will receive a specially minted coin they must take with them as they make their way through the rugged mountain terrain surrounding Grande Cache.

Racers must have their coin to cross the Smoky River near the end of their trek. Losing the coin means instant disqualification.

You don't say? What is the penalty for disqualification? Is it... death? I'd guess not. They've got a juicy hook to this story, though:

One of the earliest winners of the gruelling, 125-kilometre running race was former Edmonton resident Nik Southwell. He had his eyes on the prize, but Southwell forgot to take in enough food and fluids along the way, says Dale Tuck, one of the event's founders.

Instead of dropping out, Southwell persevered and won the men's solo race, collapsing at the finish line. His kidneys shut down and he was rushed to hospital and put on dialysis.

Won the race, but losing the game...

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