January 8, 2014 at 4:18 p.m.
Holiday Acres to host snowshoe races
Holiday Acres to host snowshoe races
By Kayla Thomason-
If the predicted January thaw occurs as forecasted, snowshoe enthusiasts will have an opportunity to have that kind of winter experience this Saturday, Jan. 11, when Holiday Acres hosts the Snowshoe Hare Snowshoe Race.
There will be 5K and 10K races for each age group and an 800 meter non-competitive race for children. The 5K and 10K races will begin at 10:30 a.m. The children's race will start at 11:30 a.m. Registration/check-in takes place from 9 to 10 a.m. Age divisions are 12 and under, 13-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69 and 70 plus. Entry fee is $25 Kids ages 12 and under race free.
"It's a fun run/walk," said race director Mary Lucas. "People will get timed. If they qualify they do get awards but it's just supposed to be in the spirit of fun to get people out there and doing it."
There will be male/female winners in each age division. First- place winners of the 5K and 10K will receive a hand-turned wooden bowl with the Rhinelander Area Silent Trails Association (RASTA) logo engraved on it. Pint glasses with the RASTA logo will be awarded to the winners in the various age divisions. Youth racers will receive a rabbit's paw for their participation. There will be door prizes, courtesy of the local businesses, such as coffee items, glove apparel, complementary registration to other races, a certificate from Holiday Acres, and beer donated by the Rhinelander Brewery. Two pairs of Dion snowshoes and one pair of Atlas snowshoes will be auctioned off.
"RASTA, as an organization, we promote silent sport outdoor recreation so hiking, mountain biking, skiing and snowshoeing, non-motorized recreation," Lucas said. "All proceeds from the race will go right back into our trail construction and maintenance. Our projects focus on three different things and one of the big tasks that we have taken on is all of the cross-country ski trail grooming for Oneida County." The group also maintains two other trails for mountain biking, hiking and snowshoeing.
The race is part of the Braveheart Midwest Snowshoe Racing Series. Races take place in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois and Iowa. The series is based on participation, not placing. Racers will keep track of the races they do and log them in. At the end of the series participation will be added up and awards will be given out based on that.
"The majority of people that participate are actually not from Rhinelander. That's one of the things that we're really trying to do is encourage people from the local community to come out," Lucas said. "I'm not sure if people are intimidated because it's considered a race that is part of the Midwestern Series."
There will be hot chocolate and drinks inside, and a chili lunch after the race.
"We are all about trying to provide this amenity in the greater Rhinelander area and make this an attractive place for outdoor recreationists," Lucas said.
For more information or to register, go to www.rastatrails.org or call (715) 360-3647. Registration forms can be printed out and mailed, or completed online for quick processing at www.active.com, but there is a surcharge.
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