Author: jediturtle

(updated Friday 1/24 evening)

Saturday morning brings the Mt Tom Scramble 5k/10k in Holyoke, MA. RD Amy Rusieckie reports that the snow cover is too thin for snowshoes, so this will be a trail race with thin snow cover – your call if you want to run with traction assistance or not, but it’s probably wise to bring it just in case. Registration is from 8:15 – 8:50 AM, with the races starting at 9 AM. The 10k does two loops of the 5k, and runners can decide after the first loop if they want to stop or continue. There will be a potluck afterwards (bring something to share if you can!) and anyone staying is encouraged to bring a mug with them to cut down on the number of disposable cups used.

Sunday morning takes us to Queensbury, NY for the Gurney Lane 5k. RD Bob Underwood is also optimistic that we’ll be able to snowshoe, but Saturday is supposed to be a rainy day, so best to again plan for all possibilities – snowshoes, trail shoes, or trail shoes with traction assistance. Registration is open until a short time before the race starts at 10 AM.

This came in the Amy Rusiecki, RD of the upcoming 1/25 Mt Tom Snowshoe Scramble, earlier this week (after much of the northeast received a light dusting of snow, so prior to this weekend’s more substantial storm.) Preregistration remains open until Friday 1/24 at 5 PM.

“The dusting of snow this morning reminded me that the 2020 Mt. Tom Snowshoe Scramble is just over a week away.  I am doing my snow dances that Saturday night brings us some good snow…and hope you join me in that effort!  Otherwise, let’s have a fun trail race instead!!!

I am emailing simply to remind folks that the race will be on, regardless of snow conditions…it might be snowshoeing, it might be trail running, and it might require traction (microspikes or something like that).  

We’d love to have more company on the trails, so I encourage you each to find a friend or two and drag them along to the race.  Remember that there’s a team competition this year (for ultimate bragging rights, adding the 5k finish time/split from the 4 fastest folks from each group) – you don’t need to be a USATF or RRCA club to participate as a team.

I’ll update folks on the trail conditions as I know more (likely middle of next week) and look forward to seeing everyone on Saturday!”

And while you’re here – don’t forget the rescheduled Gurney Lane 5k on Sunday 1/26, with prereg also open until Friday at 5 PM – our first double-header weekend of the season!

First up we have Cock-a-Doodle-Shoe on Sunday morning at the New Land Trust in Saranac, NY. The latest news from RD Jeremy Drowne is that the courses are marked and are in good shape – with the additional snow coming tomorrow they should be in great shape Sunday morning. More information can be found at the race Facebook page. Note that if you’re attending the race, both registration and the start involve some hiking in from the parking lot, so leave plenty of time to get registered and then hike to the start. Kids’ races start at 10 AM, 5k/10k start immediately after.

Unfortunately, the Nor’East Snowshoe Series evening race has been cancelled. The recent warm weather completely eliminated the snow base, and the forecasted storm isn’t expected to drop enough snow to provide decent snowshoeing conditions.

 

… and the forecast is even calling for a bit of fresh snow tomorrow afternoon and evening.

Signup is from 5:30-5:45 PM at the Gore Nordic Center. The race itself is free but requires a season pass or the purchase of an twilight trails pass, which is available for $12 starting at 4 PM. Print and fill out a race release to save time that night.

The course is 4 loops for a total of 5k and will be shared with Nordic skiers. While a full 4 loops isn’t required to participate, only those completing the 5k distance will receive series points.

All the relevant info can be found at our race page. The Tuesday evening races are scheduled for every week until 2/18 (conditions permitting) – while only the first and last race are part of the series, everyone is encouraged to go on other weeks and enjoy some early week snowshoeing fun!