LACONA, NY – The ever adaptable volunteers of the Winona Forest Recreation Association pulled off another fantastic winter racing event on the morning of January 7, 2023, sending an excited group of snowshoe racing enthusiasts bounding through the somewhat frozen forest.
The unseasonably warm weather that the Northeastern U.S. experienced over the last weeks of December and the first few days of January, left a patchwork of snow coupled with bare ground throughout the fabled forest, presenting a challenge to race organizers.
WFRA President and Snowshoe Event Director Matthew Westerlund surveyed the course several times within the days leading up to the race, and in the end called for a “freestyle” event, allowing competitors to choose their style of footwear.
Adaptable racers and their supporters gathered on an overcast morning with temperatures hovering around the freezing point, discussing and debating the various choices of footwear and traction devices.
Upbeat music echoed across the clearing surrounding the start/finish area – as competitors lined up and waited for WFRA volunteer Richard Shumway to sound the countdown and send the runners and walkers across the line and into the forest.
With an ability to adapt to a variety of surfaces, Ithaca, NY resident Eric Sambolec crossed the finish line in victory; leaving him enough energy to head back out on the trails for a cool down run.
Participants were all smiles as they gathered around smoking fire pits, sampling snacks and other food items offered by the cheerful WFRA volunteers.
Race results and information regarding a plethora of upcoming Winter events sponsored by the WFRA here. http://www.winonaforest.com/
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