Rocky Mountain Runner - WP Snowshoe 2001

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New Course Layout for the 7th Annual Winter Park Snowshoe Race
by Adam Feerst

RESULTS
10K - 5K

A new course layout & warm temperatures made for fast times at the 7th Annual Winter Park Snowshoe Race. The first change appeared at the beginning where, after the same start at the top of the frozen pond, racers found the first third of the pond plowed. The middle third was the traditional powder, but it was only knee deep instead of hip deep, and the final third was a series of finger-like single tracks leading to the main trail.

The bigger change was on the second lap of the 10k. At about the 7.5k mark, the second lap split off downhill to a flat, fast, snowmobile trail. This avoided much of the traditional congestion on the second lap with 10K racers trying to pass slower, 5k competitors on the narrow trail, although we only got to do the butt slide once!

As always, strategy was critical at the start; picking the best line to hit the trail early and avoid the congestion on the main trail. Also as always, there were several face plants at the start.

Robert Gill blasted through the powder and hit the trail first. Very quickly, Redfeather's Tom Sobal took the lead followed closely by Evergreen High School standout Travis Macy. After a collision at the bottom of the butt slide, Sobal pulled away to a 1:04 margin of victory in a time of 45:47.

Atlas's Louisa Jenkins won the women's 10K race by almost four minutes in a time of 59:51.

Ted Benning went out with the 10k leaders and held on for a 55 second victory in the 5K with a time of 29:44. Erin Light won the women's 5k by just under a minute in 35:39.

Over 200 competitors participated in the three races, including the kid's 1K. Past race director Brian Lence flew back into the country just in time to do the course himself. Racers were treated to a post race feast and raffle at the Beaver Run Resort. Thanks goes to the many sponsors and prize donors who helped make the race a success--Beaver Run Resort, Redfeather Snowshoes, Gecko Gear, and the many members of the Winter Park/Frasier Valley Chamber of Commerce.