OSWEGO COUNTY – Racers gotta race, and despite the absence of deep snow, the ever-adaptable volunteers of the Winona Forest Recreation Association held a successful SnoFatShu race on the morning of February 11, 2024. Endurance athletes gathered on the frosty morning, tuning fat bikes and adjusting snowshoe straps, eager to test their abilities on whatever surface the forest was presenting to them. Although the legendary deep snowpack that Tug Hill is well known for has not developed this Winter, participants were not in any way discouraged, smiling broadly as they greeted old friends and made their plans to adapt to the course’s varied terrain and frozen or not-so- frozen surfaces awaiting them in the woods.
Emma Carlisle came up to the forest from Syracuse with a positive attitude, ready for whatever the trails presented.
“Seems like the organizers are ready for any circumstance, and they have been very communicative,” Carlisle said.
Zoey Zhu and Kelli Carsten of the Pursuit Cycling Team also made the trip from Syracuse and wanted to try something new.
“I think it is going to be an extra fun challenge…I think we are all up for a muddy, slippery wet snow challenge, and I think it is going to make things more fun,” Carsten said.
As WFRA Bike Director Rich Shumway counted down the last seconds and sounded the horn, snowshoers sprinted into the forest on the Norway trail making a lap and then switching to the fat bike, either handing off the remainder of the race to a partner or going it alone, quickly switching gear in the transition zone. The still-frozen vestigial snow on the trails made for dicey cornering and heart-pounding descents, with those running metal studded tires able to push the limits just a little harder.
“We had to shovel snow into the transition area to make it happen,” said Shumway, “but there is still some snow on the snowshoe course.”
Getting folks out of the house and onto the trails is a big part of the idea behind the SnoFatShu event.
“It’s about getting off the trainer or treadmill, and coming out and being with like minded people doing something that they love…it gets your endorphins going, enjoying the beautiful woods,” Shumway said.
At the end of the day, these like-minded outdoor lovers gathered around the fire to swap stories from the trail, and to plan the next event that will offer another opportunity to test their skills and fitness. Come snow or no snow, the WFRA will adapt their events to provide whatever athletes crave in any season, another chance to gather, to race, and enjoy the company of others who share the same passions.
“For the last ten years, we have anticipated this happening, and it is our goal to make sure that these trails can handle more water than ever before so that events like this can go on,” said WFRA President Matt Westerlund.
Full Results here https://www.webscorer.com/race?raceid=342345
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