The sun was shining and the weather was unseasonably warm when cross-country skiers gathered for the Athabasca Loppet on Sunday.
In all, 64 skiers (14 of them local) ranging in age from five to over 40 competed in races as short as 0.5 km and as long as 20 km.
Landing Trail Intermediate School and the nearby Muskeg Creek Trail served as the racing grounds. All races started on the school field, but only the youngest of racers stayed there.
Every other race weaved onto the trail, where the skiers had to contend with a few sharp turns and some rolling hills.
“I thought it would be flat, but they really utilized the valley well. It was a tough course,” said Edmonton’s Reid Hosford, who took part in his first Athabasca Loppet and finished first in the 20 km race.
Like the rest of the racers, Hosford looked at the event as an opportunity to train and have some fun while enjoying the beautiful terrain. Times and placements were recorded, but ultimately the event was about fun and afterwards, LTIS was full of smiling skiers warming up with hot chocolate and chili.
“They put on a great race,” said Hosford.
That was the goal for one race organizer, Joe MacIsaac of the Athabasca Nordic Ski Club.
He was too busy ensuring the event ran smoothly to take part himself, but both his work and that of the many volunteers who helped run the race ensured the day’s success.
“It’s a great day and a great race,” said MacIsaac, noting that the local Loppet has been running for over 30 years.
“We’re one of the smallest communities to host a Loppet, but we run a great race. People are having fun, they’re seeing the commuinity and sharing the trails.”
And weather-wise, the ski club couldn’t have picked a better day for a showcase.
“The course was in great shape, the weather was excellent, and that made for a great race.”
