Ultramarathon Through the Arctic

Aaron Crook during the 6633 Arctic Ultra Marathon, a 620-kilometer tour through the Arctic Circle in northwestern Canada.

«During the race, I was alone 90 percent of the time. And that was perfectly fine with me. I definitely took that with me from Waldorf school..»

Born in Ireland, Crook moved to Australia as a child when his mother, Patricia Crook, took a pioneering teaching position at the first Waldorf school in Western Australia. Looking back, he describes the Australian Waldorf curriculum as «different from the state school system», especially when it comes to leaving exams.  «We apply for university based on our Class Twelve project,» he explains. «These are publicly accepted.» Crook adds that «it worked well – when I graduated, all of my peers got into the courses they wanted. There was no issue then, and I don’t think there would be now.» In his experience, Australian universities generally have a positive attitude toward Waldorf graduates because they are used to working independently. Nevertheless, he also encountered skepticism. «There’s still a stigma – a common misunderstanding about what Waldorf education actually is.»

His own children attend public school in Glenelg, near Adelaide, because the nearest Waldorf school is too far away. Crook estimates that the school fees are «equivalent to a middle-tier private school». He recalls that his classmates did not come from wealthy families. «My mother even paid for some children to join camps and activities», he says.

To the ends of the earth

His experiences as a child and teenager shaped his life, making him independent, resilient, self-reliant, and fond of challenges. Crook is now the business manager of a medical device company, but before that he was a beach volleyball player and actor. He is also committed to promoting mental health among young people. He recently won the 6633 Arctic Ultra, one of the toughest ultramarathons in the world. «The race was the hardest physical challenge I could imagine», he explains. «It was so far out of my comfort zone. I had no idea how I’d deal with sub-zero temps and distance – that intrigued me.» The 6633 Arctic Ultra is a foot race that starts in Eagle Plains. It takes runners through some of the most rugged terrain in the world, combining running and hiking. Crook ran on flat terrain and downhill, while hiking uphill. He wasn't the fastest participant, but he gained an advantage by adopting a strategy of sleeping as little as possible.  «I never slept more than two hours at a time. Most of my rest came from five- to ten-minute micro-naps. In total, I slept just eleven hours over the seven days and 22 hours of the race.» The winner is the first person to touch the Arctic Sea in Tuktoyaktuk – and that first person was Crook.

Along the way, he had to overcome a number of physical and mental challenges, including tendonitis and mild frostbite. Training for the race began during the Australian summer. «It was 40°C in Adelaide», he recalls. «You can’t prepare for that kind of cold back home. But I did a ton of research and had the best gear possible.» He spent five days in Whitehorse, Yukon, to prepare and test his equipment on a ten-kilometer test run before heading to the starting line—a 15-hour drive from Whitehorse. Despite all the hardships, there were also moments of fascination. «I never would’ve gone to the Arctic otherwise», he says. «I saw the Northern Lights. The wind was horrendous – but I’ll never forget it.»

Running for a good cause

Crooks' Arctic journey was more than just a physical and mental challenge; it was accompanied by a mission: to raise funds for youth mental health. In collaboration with the Sebastian Foundation and the Adelaide Crows Foundation, he raised nearly 27,000 Australian dollars (approximately 15,000 euros) from businesses, family members, and acquaintances. The money went to the Open Parachute program, which helps students in South Australia build their emotional resilience, both online and in person at school.

«For just AUD 15, one child can go through the program for twelve months,» Crook explains. «The race was far more of a mental challenge than a physical one – and that’s exactly why I wanted to support something that builds mental strength early on.» His own struggles in his youth and his passion for helping young people overcome life's challenges made this cause very close to his heart.

The quiet power of self-reliance

Crook says he won't be doing that race again – today, his biggest challenge is closer to home: «Being a good husband and dad. That’s its own kind of endurance event.» The small school, where «everyone knew everyone», was sometimes overwhelming, so he withdrew completely. In doing so, he learned an important lesson: how to be alone. «During the race, I was alone 90 percent of the time. And that was totally fine with me. I definitely took that with me from Waldorf school.»

Resilience through sports and creativity

During his teenage years, sports became Crook's lifeline. «High school was tough. I felt things deeply – I was the happiest and the most depressed during those years», he says. «Sports helped. Soccer, volleyball – anything with positive social interaction outside school helped build resilience. The best thing you can do for a kid is introduce them to sports with a good coach.»

After high school, Crook was accepted into the West Australian Academy of Performing Arts, the second most prestigious program of its kind in Australia. His creative activities—from acting to knitting—are still important to him. «I’d love to do plays again,» he shares. «And I’ve started knitting again – especially on planes. People always react so positively. It’s so much better than watching stupid videos,» he laughs. «That creativity definitely came from school.»

With yarn to the Yukon

From knitting needles on airplanes to sled tracks in Arctic snowfields, Aaron Crook lives at the intersection of reflection and endurance. Perhaps that unique combination  was spun long ago, one stitch at a time.

Aaron Crook on Instagram: ultrarunner_aaroncrook