A Viking's Challenge is Back for its 6th Year!

From March 8-9, 2025, Save Your Skin Foundation will be hosting its 6th annual A Viking’s Challenge across Canada to raise funds for skin cancer, melanoma, and ocular melanoma patients. 

What started in 2020 as a 30km trek across frozen Lake Winnipeg by melanoma patient Chris Isfeld and his friend Shawn Bjornsson has grown into a nationwide movement across Canada.

Are you ready to awaken your inner Viking and take on the challenge?

How it started

A Viking’s Challenge was founded in 2020 when Chris Isfeld, a melanoma cancer survivor originally from Gimli, MB, dared his friend Shawn to a race - 30km across frozen Lake Winnipeg.

Only three years after being diagnosed with late-stage melanoma and becoming partially paralyzed from the waist down, Chris completed the feat, racing alongside Shaw, as the pair raised nearly $20,000 for melanoma patients in the process.

The following year Chris opened up the challenge to all who wanted to participate and support him by running themselves.

A set back in 2023

Two years ago, life threw Chris yet another curveball. A large mass was found on his right adrenal gland, forcing him to stop training to focus on his treatment. He continued to run last year, raising another $10,000 for skin cancer patients in 2024 and even successfully hosting an in-person run. To date, the event had raised over $100,000. 

Moving forward in 2025

This year, Chris & Shawn will continue to support Save Your Skin Foundation and A Viking’s Challenge, raising as much money as possible despite current setbacks. By joining A Viking’s Challenge 2025, you will show solidarity for melanoma patients like Chris and others across the country. We hope you will join us in making a powerful statement of perseverance and grit.

Every dollar raised will go directly to patients in the form of treatment costs, flights, accommodation, cab fares and other necessary but costly expenses incurred while receiving treatment.