Adirondack Sports December 2020

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RUNNING & WALKING DECEMBER 2020 3 START OF GORE SNOWSHOE RACE. Snowshoe HOOT TOOT & WHISTLE IN FEBRUARY 2020. BEN KIMBALL By Laura Clark Racing Season Preview We have all been there. Now it is my turn. The paper, report, article is due, and cannot be put off any longer. This is an unfamiliar position for me to be in as normally I am not a procrastinator. But in this case, I was holding off, hoping against hope that a miracle would occur and I could once more produce a reasonably definitive snowshoe racing season schedule. Or as definite as anything involving snow can be. Still, here we are with images of the past and wishy hopes for 2021. In a normal year the Dion Snowshoe Series would extend across state boundaries into Vermont and Massachusetts. But this is not a normal year. Unless you have big money or significant career advancement riding on your snowshoe racing portfolio, you would not want to endure a 14-day quarantine for the sake of a single race. Even the United States Snowshoe Association has cancelled Nationals this year: snowshoeracing.com. So, at this point, our series is confined to the New York borders. Ironic, really, because Dion Snowshoes are manufactured in nearby Bennington, Vt. Fortunately, they have recently joined with NeviTREK Snowshoes, located in Delanson: dionnevitrek.com. Normally, we have a representative at all of our races to supply advice and loaners, but Dion advises that this will be on a case-by-case basis. With so much in flux, it is understandable that race directors are waiting until the last minute to firm up plans, so it would be advisable to check for weekly updates: dionwmacsnowshoe.com. As with most snowshoe races, runners and walkers are welcome. The first race of the season will be the traditional Gore Ski Bowl 5K Snowshoe Race on December 27 at 2pm at the Gore Mountain Nordic Center in North Creek: goremountain. com. Fortunately, there’s plenty of snowmaking so it will happen as long as the temperatures are consistently cold enough to make snow. The lodge will be open for bathrooms only so be sure to bring warm clothing for before and after. If there is enough natural snow, we will utilize a scenic wooded loop as well as the groomed sections. The course consists of several loops and it is fun to try and increase your pace on each repeat section. Registration is at skireg.com. The Gore Nordic Center will also be hosting one of my favorite events, the Gore Mountain Citizen’s 5K Races at the Ski Bowl in North Creek at 6pm on Tuesday evenings from January 12 through February 16. Twelve dollars at the door will earn you 1-4 laps (each about 1.25K) of snowshoeing or cross country skiing, depending on what you’re comfortable with. This is a family-friendly event on wide groomed, trackset trails including kids, teens, parents and grandparents all participating within their comfort level on racing snowshoes, traditional hiking snowshoes, and cross country skiing – both classic and skate technique. There is wintertime magic under the lights and the star canopy, with everyone finishing calmer and happier than when they started out! And that’s a big plus for this year! Again, if the lodge is not available, the indoor bathrooms will be. Normally, the event concludes with raffles to include eggs donated by a local farmer and knit hats from local crafters. By the end of the series, acquaintances have become fast friends. Learn more at goremountain.com. The next definite race on the schedule is January 24, the Gurney Lane Snowshoe & Fat Bike Day, race directed by Bob Underwood of Underdog Race Timing. SNOWSHOED FEET ARE READY TO RUN. Held at Gurney Lane Recreation Area in Queensbury, the route encompasses the fun ups, downs and arounds of singletrack mountain bike trails, with occasional wide stretches providing breathers. Fat bikers have their rides and races in the afternoon and Grey Ghost Bicycles has some demo rental bikes are available to try after your race! Normally, there are good quality raffle awards, but again that will depend on current protocols. For snowshoe, visit runreg. com or fat bike, go to bikereg.com. So far, the final event in the series will be the Garnet Hill Snowshoe Race on March 6 at Garnet Hill Lodge & Outdoor Center in North River. The course has a mix of wide cross country ski trails and woodsy singletrack snowshoe paths, incorporating enough rolling terrain to make it a challenging experience – amid beautiful snow-laden pines! I always enjoy looking at the many cabins peppered along the route, envious of those who can just step outside their rented front door, and ski to the Garnet Hill Lodge for breakfast, lunch or dinner! Learn more at garnet-hill.com. The Winterfest 5K Snowshoe Race is scheduled for February 7 at the Saratoga Spa State Park and Camp Saratoga 8K Snowshoe Race for February 13 at Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park. I’m the race director and am currently awaiting approval from HOOT TOOT & WHISTLE IN FEBRUARY 2020. BEN KIMBALL local and state entities. As soon as that happens, registration will be on runsignup.com and information on saratogastryders.org and dionwmacsnowshoe.com. That much said, it is impossible to overlook the elephant in the room, which in this case is not related to global warming. Examination of new required race protocols lead you to expect staggered starts, masks at gathering zones, contactless bib pickup, BYO water and snacks, and rapid dispersal soon after you finish. Socializing is clearly not the name of the game. Don’t expect to show up at the last-minute as most events will be online registration only, preferring to limit contact, and stay within legal race numbers. Bear in mind that most events are outdoors only so dress properly. This is an excellent way to prevent spreading the virus, but necessitates a be-prepared mentality with plenty of dry clothes, and a good heater in your car. As we inch closer to the yellow, orange and red cluster zones, it will not be unexpected that towns, parks and private lands reconsider previously granted permissions. Not only do we have to scan the sky for snow, we now have to scan area maps for colors. In that scenario, some events might go virtual or some might pop-up spontaneously as conditions change. Keeping in mind that “The only certainty is that nothing is certain,” please do check for updates. We’ll have further updates next month so stay positive! Laura Clark (snowshoegal133@gmail.com) of Saratoga Springs is an avid trail runner, ultramarathoner, snowshoer and crosscountry skier. She is a children’s librarian at the Saratoga Springs Public Library.
Page 1: COVERING UPSTATE NY SINCE 2000 Mt.
Page 5 and 6: News News Briefs Briefs Kicksleds:
Page 7 and 8: XC SKIING & SNOWSHOEING DECEMBER 20
Page 9 and 10: CROSS COUNTRY SKIING DECEMBER 2020
Page 11 and 12: DECEMBER 2020 11 ● FOOTBRIDGE ALO
Page 13 and 14: 28-31 Empire State Winter Games. Ca
Page 15 and 16: COMMUNITY Virtual Races, School and
Page 17 and 18: DECEMBER 2020 17 XC SKIING & BIATHL
Page 19 and 20: DECEMBER 2020 19 NON-MEDICATED LIFE

Adirondack Sports December 2020

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