dd - 2002 Beaver BrookI look forward to the opportunity to train and race off-road in the winter. I’m a terrible downhill trail runner, but I’m much better when I don’t have to worry about my footing due to the forgiving nature of snowshoe racing. I also enjoy being able to race two or three times a weekend when we have enough snow. The aerobic benefits of snowshoe racing, combined with the minimal impact on leg muscles make it a perfect training method.
My first race was in 1999 at the Western Mass Athletic club's (WMAC) Hawley Kiln seven-mile. I finished less than ten seconds behind the winner without knowing anything about preparing for racing on snowshoes. I lost my shoe four or five times during the race. Lesson learned, and I was hooked! By 2001, I was National Champion at the first USSSA Championship in Plattsburgh, New York.
The heart and soul of snowshoe racing in New England is the WMAC series. Although the WMAC races are centered in Western Mass, six of the races take place outside of Massachusetts including one in Vermont, one in New Hampshire and four in New York. The series has grown over the years both in the number of races and the number of participants. The oldest races in the series are the Hawley Kiln and South Pond races which will be held for the 12th time this year. Scoring is done based on the number of finishers in each race and series champions and age group winners are crowned at the end of the season.
WMAC puts on races which are a throw-back to the “good old days” of racing. There aren’t any t-shirts or goody bags, just the opportunity for runners/hikers/walkers to compete and then mingle while warming up around a big fire afterwards. Entry fees are low and courses are challenging and scenic.
2009 Western Mass. AC Snowshoe series
12-28-08....Woodford, VT.........I Love Woodford........3.5 Miles
01-03-09....Florida, MA..............1st Tilda........................3.5 Miles
01-10-09....Florida, MA..............12th N Pond shuffle....3.5 Miles
01-11-09....Florida, MA..............S Pond shuffle...............4.0 Miles
01-17-09....Adams, MA...............10th Greylock Glen.......3.5 Miles
01-18-09....Guilderland, NY......Brave the blizzard........5 KM
01-25-09....Pittsfield, MA........5th Curly’s record run..4 Miles
01-31-09....Northfield, MA.......7th Northfield Mtn.......10.3 KM
My first race was in 1999 at the Western Mass Athletic club's (WMAC) Hawley Kiln seven-mile. I finished less than ten seconds behind the winner without knowing anything about preparing for racing on snowshoes. I lost my shoe four or five times during the race. Lesson learned, and I was hooked! By 2001, I was National Champion at the first USSSA Championship in Plattsburgh, New York.
The heart and soul of snowshoe racing in New England is the WMAC series. Although the WMAC races are centered in Western Mass, six of the races take place outside of Massachusetts including one in Vermont, one in New Hampshire and four in New York. The series has grown over the years both in the number of races and the number of participants. The oldest races in the series are the Hawley Kiln and South Pond races which will be held for the 12th time this year. Scoring is done based on the number of finishers in each race and series champions and age group winners are crowned at the end of the season.
WMAC puts on races which are a throw-back to the “good old days” of racing. There aren’t any t-shirts or goody bags, just the opportunity for runners/hikers/walkers to compete and then mingle while warming up around a big fire afterwards. Entry fees are low and courses are challenging and scenic.
2009 Western Mass. AC Snowshoe series
12-28-08....Woodford, VT.........I Love Woodford........3.5 Miles
01-03-09....Florida, MA..............1st Tilda........................3.5 Miles
01-10-09....Florida, MA..............12th N Pond shuffle....3.5 Miles
01-11-09....Florida, MA..............S Pond shuffle...............4.0 Miles
01-17-09....Adams, MA...............10th Greylock Glen.......3.5 Miles
01-18-09....Guilderland, NY......Brave the blizzard........5 KM
01-25-09....Pittsfield, MA........5th Curly’s record run..4 Miles
01-31-09....Northfield, MA.......7th Northfield Mtn.......10.3 KM
Tim Mahoney - Northfield
02-01-09....Saratoga, NY.........10th Saratoga fest.........5 KM
Leigh Schmitt - 2002 Saratoga Springs02-07-09....C. Sandwich, NH ..4th Sidehiller...................4 Miles
02-08-09....Florida, MA............Moody Springs.................5 Miles
02-14-09....Wilton, NY.............Camp Saratoga.................8.25 KM
02-21-09....Adams, MA..............Covered Bridge.................8.0 Miles
02-21-09....Adams, MA..............Hoxie Thunderbolt...........3.5 Miles
02-22-09....W. Hawley, MA.....3rd Hallockville Pond........5 KM
02-28-09....Hawley, MA...........12th Hawley Kiln.................5.0 Miles
03-14-09....Northfield, MA.....3rd Mass state champs.....3-5 Miles
03-21-09....Hillsdale,NY..........Catamount Sunset..............3 Miles (Note: Night race 4PM start)
There is also a new series in New Hampshire this year. The Acidotic racing team is putting on the series which includes some established races and a couple of new ones.
01-10-09....E Madison, NH.......1st Pooh Hill...............?? Miles
01-31-09....Gilford, NH.............2nd Cobble Mtn.........5 KM
02-07-09....C. Sandwich, NH..4th Sidehiller............4 Miles
02-08-09....Atkinson, NH..........4th Frosty’s Dash....5 KM
02-15-09....Merrimack, NH.......1st Horse Hill..........7 KM
02-21-09....Madbury, NH..........2nd Kingman farm..5 KM (note: Night race – Headlamp required)
Many ways to dress for a SS race!
1 comment:
If only all this rain and ice were snow....:( my daughter said they had a foot in Colchester, VT
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