Latest News – November 30

First Race in Winter Series Brings out the Snowshoes

Racers got to strap on their snowshoes instead of their trail runners for the first race in the Pedal Power Snowshoe Winter Race Series held on Saturday, Nov. 23 at at Colorado Mountain College’s Timberline Campus in Leadville.

It was snowshoes, not trail shoes, for the first event in the Pedal Power Snowshoe Winter Race Series on Nov. 23 in Leadville. Organizer Bruce Kelly addresses racers.

Twenty competitors lined up for the adventure race which donates its proceeds to local charities in Lake and Eagle Counties. Last Saturday’s 10K course followed a blend of single-track, wooded cross-country trails and panoramic open stretches.  Due to ample early season snow, this race, originally scheduled as a 10K cross country trail run, evolved into a snowshoe race.

“A week ago Friday this race would have been a trail run,” said organizer Bruce Kelly during his opening comments to racers. “We got eight inches of snow last Saturday and probably another 5 inches this week, so today we’re having a snowshoe race!”

Leadville’s Smokey Burgess brings home the win at 58:18.

So with a quick countdown and the wave a hand, the racers were off, spraying up fresh snow along the way. Just under an hour later, it was Leadville’s Smokey Burgess who crossed the finish line first at 58:18, following closely behind were Dan Nielsen at 59:03 and Eric Black at 59:23.

On the women’s side it was Cheri Vieregg in first place with a time of 1:12:37. Leah Nicholson (1:15:53) and Sharon O’Grady (1:17:10) rounded out the top three podium places. All the racers seemed to appreciate the added workout the fresh snow offered and expressed their appreciation for the course overall. Full Results: LINK.

Women Winners (left to right): 3rd place Sharon O’Grady (1:17:10) , 1st place Cheri Vieregg (1:12:37) and 2nd place Leah Nicholson (1:15:53) .

The Pedal Power Snowshoe Series is the oldest established competitive snowshoe race series in the region as well as the only completely non-profit event of its kind, with all proceeds from the popular race series benefitting local charities.

The series consists of 7 events held around the region, including the Colorado State Snowshoe Championship. These high-profile races, along with Pedal Power’s reputation for providing great course venues and the caliber of competition, have made the Pedal Power Snowshoe Adventure Series one of the top events in the region. This year, the series will include a snowshoe, snow bike and nordic skiing events as well as a comprehensive Winter Triathlon encompassing all three diciplines. The next race will be Saturday, Dec. 7 out at the Tennessee Pass Nordic Center.

Participants can pre-register directly online at pedalpowerbike.com or with forms from Pedal Power Bicycle Shop in Eagle-Vail or by calling 970-845-0931.

Men/Overall Winners (left to right): 2nd place Dan Nielsen (59:03), 1st place Smokey Burgess (58:18) and 3rd place Eric Black (59:23).

 

Note: The awards which are presented to the Pedal Power Snowshoe Race Winners are designed by local Lake County High School student Beth Camp. Nice work, Beth!

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