by Laura Clark
Published: January 2010
The first United States Snowshoe Nationals was held in 2001 at the family-oriented Beartown Ski Center in Plattsburgh and boasted all of 31 participants. Despite these humble beginnings, founder Mark Elmore pulled together an impressive field including Adam Chase, now Running Times Trail Editor, Danelle Ballengee, one of the world’s most successful multi-sport adventurers, Dave Dunham, a six-time top US finisher at the World Mountain Trophy Series, and Nikki Kimball (Athlete Profile, June 2001), two-time female ultrarunner of the year.
At this event it was decided that Nationals should cycle through each of the country’s five regions. Due to the influence of Mark Elmore, not to mention Edward Alibozek, founder of the Western Mass Snowshoe Series (runwmac.com) and Bob Dion (dionsnowshoes.com), the East has long been regarded as a hotbed of snowshoe activity. Geographically, this makes sense as Nationals director Chary Griffin, who has competed in eight of the past nine championships, is quick to point out. With so many cities and states located within convenient driving distance, the East draws from a larger pool of potential sites and race directors. Consequently, even when Nationals are held on the other side of the country, easterners have played a defining role.
Once more rotating to home turf, this tenth anniversary edition will be celebrated March 5-7 at Highland Forest Park in Fabius (25 miles southeast of Syracuse and 150 miles west of Albany). The hilly glacial terrain of this historic park encompasses a myriad of intersecting trails including the North Country National Scenic Trail, which connects to the fabled Appalachian Trail System, with many of the older trails and buildings dating back to the WPA New Deal era. Traveling further back in time, you will be treading in the wood-framed footsteps of the Iroquois Confederation and the raquettes of Dutch and French fur trappers. Both groups loved a good contest and doubtless will be silently cheering your efforts.
Race director Chary Griffin is nothing if not enthusiastic and comments that, “One of my biggest challenges has been to select the trails to use for the various events.” With so many possible routes, Chary can design a course with optimal snow conditions. For athletes who wish to orient themselves, official course previews will be offered Friday and Saturday mornings. Both the 5K Junior National Championship and 10K Senior events launch in separate heats from an open field in front of the lodge, head uphill into the woods and continue on a groomed trail to the Horse Barn. At this point 5K competitors return to the lodge, while 10Kers follow the more challenging single track. Concluding on a glorious downhill followed by a steep uphill to the finish, 10K competitors would be well advised to husband some reserve energy for the final sprint.
To participate with champions from across the country, visit snowshoeracing.com for application requirements and a list of qualifying races. But please don’t let this process intimidate because you do not have to be a champion to qualify or to participate. One of the prime hopefuls is 32-year-old Jeremy Drowne of Saratoga Springs, who placed second in his age group last year. A former student of Mark Elmore’s, Jeremy is a graduate of the Empire State Games high school circuit and still consults with his former track coach. Jeremy has some interesting ideas of his own and recommends cycling as an excellent precursor to snowshoe season. “In cycling if you push too hard too early you are going to suffer terribly. Snowshoeing is the same way.” With Highland Forest’s challenging course profile in mind, it appears this approach will stand Jeremy in good stead.
If the 10K distance seems a bit too intimating, then consider the 5K Citizen’s Run/Walk sponsored by the Dions. While hosting the Nationals is a big deal, Chary is most excited about attracting folks to this rapidly growing winter sport. The Scholastic 5K National Championship provides such an opportunity for athletic youth, while the citizen’s event is perfect for family members, and the Kid’s Kilo will enable even the youngest to join in the fun. As a presenting sponsor, Bob Dion will supply loaner snowshoes to any athletes lacking equipment or simply wishing to enhance their experience. Additional activities such as snowman-building and ice sculpture contests, sledding, and maple syrup demos will make this an outstanding weekend for all.
And, of course, as with all memorable athletic events, there is food and socializing. Friday night features an athletes’ reception and meet the media panel discussion, providing a venue for old friends from across the country to reconnect and ordinary folks to chat with prime contenders. Saturday night brings the championship banquet complete with a live band.
Your support and enthusiasm will go a long way to making Olympic officials sit up and take notice. Perhaps four years from now we will be sending Nationals athletes to Olympic competition.
Laura Clark (lclark@sals.edu) of Saratoga Springs is an avid trail runner, snowshoer and cross-country skier. She is a children’s librarian at the Saratoga Springs Public Library.
