AMHERST – Brad Farquhar has run a marathon in the Sahara Desert, climbed to the peak of Denali, swam the English Channel and, most recently, finished the 2018 Iditarod dog-sled race.
“I tell you these stories to show that I’m an average person but I’m willing to try something new,” said Farquhar to students gathered in the gymnasium at Spring Street Academy. “My body is nothing special, but going through these challenges and testing myself has made me stronger physically and stronger mentally.”
On Friday, less than three weeks after crossing the 1,609-kilometre Iditarod finish line in Nome, Alaska, the 32-year-old was at Spring Street Academy telling kids to pursue their dreams.
Farquhar’s life of adventure began innocently enough.
Originally from Brooklyn, Hants County, Farquhar attended Saint Mary’s University in Halifax where he was recruited to work in California at an alarm system company.
“From there I started my own business doing the exact same thing, except, instead of alarm systems, we were selling solar panels,” said Farquhar.
On a whim, he decided to run a marathon in California with a friend. He looked online and found a marathon was being run the coming weekend, giving him only four days to prepare.
“We were at the marathon and it started to get really hot. My legs were cramping up and my calves felt shots of pain,” said Farquhar.
He said he didn’t want to quit so he looked at his feet and kept going.
“I looked at my feet for 45 minutes and didn’t look anywhere else. When I looked back up I could see the finish line. I was so excited,” said Farquhar. “I learned something that day. I learned that even though I was in a lot of pain I could continue pushing myself. From there I wanted to pick something harder.”
Farquhar’s solar power business was bought out.
His business partner went into building new businesses, while Farquhar set out on new adventures.
“I know we have one life to live and if we don’t do this stuff as soon as possible we’re never going to get to do it,” said Farquhar. “I’m a single dude with no kids, so it’s the perfect time to do it.”
Farquhar is the first Nova Scotia to enter the Iditarod. He’s says it was the toughest, most satisfying adventure of them all.
“The Iditarod would push me to my breaking point,” said Farquhar
He battled frostbite, sleep deprivation, and dehydration through some of the most cold, hostile terrain the planet has to offer.
He said he loved racing with his 14 dogs, especially Jerry, one of three dogs he started with who were very good leaders.
“Two of the leader’s part way through the race decided they didn’t want to do this anymore. They could still run but they didn’t want to lead,” said Farquhar. “So, I asked Jerry if he could lead the next 400 miles.”
Jerry led the team to the finish line.
“He isn’t the biggest dog, he isn’t the smartest dog but he’s got that smile,” said Farquhar. “He’s an average dog, but he’s not an average dog, he made it happen.”
He told the students it’s the same with them.
“You’re going to see that in life. You might have to do something that isn’t average. You might be a smaller kid, you might not be as smart as some of the kids, but I tell you, you can work harder than anybody else.”
After spending nine years away from Nova Scotia, Farquhar says he’s happy to be back home telling the kids about his adventures.
“We all have it in us to learn and explore, and I took the opportunity to go after it and try something, said Farquhar. “It’s sometimes too easy not to try and not do anything and stay in your comfort zone. I wanted a taste of something outside my comfort zone.”
