Instead of skiing during your lunch hour, come join in the fun of the first annual  Sun Valley 5K Snowshoe Challenge. A noon hour fun run snowshoe event utilizing the varied terrain of the White Cloud Nine golf course. Runners will be confronted with groomed trail,  packed snowshoe single track, and sections of crosscountry travel. Awards will be given to the top male and top female followed by a raffle for all entrants. After the race, enjoy a lunch at the Nordic Center restaurant and cheer on the finalists in the Nordic Sprint Races.

2010 RACE REPORT
The day was perfect for a snowshoe race, cloudy with flurries falling. The course was set and measured twice to a distance of 3.3 miles. Participants started to arrive as expected about an hour prior to race start, it was looking like my goal of twenty racers would be reached. Putting on a race mid week during the lunch hour is a gamble, but it paid off. We had twenty four registered runners, of the twenty four, twenty started and finished. Pre race was held a few minutes prior to noon and the gun sounded at 12 sharp. Within a few minutes the runners were faced with the first climb and soon disappeared in the hills. The tart / finish area was situated at a point where we could see the runners coming across an upper ridge before beginning the final long single track descent. About the twenty minute mark we spotted our first runner. Through the binoculars we could tell from the "windmill" arm this was Andy Jones-Wilkins leading the way. Not too far behind Andy we spotted Tom Broschel, who made the drive over from Idaho Falls. Andy had a good gap. More runners were slowly appearing on the ridge. It was great to be able to watch them navigate the singletrack descent. Andy would hold onto his first place lead and Kathy Morell would take first female not to far behind Andy. We wrapped the day up with a quick award ceremony and a raffle for all entrants. Everyone walked away with some type of goodie. Reports from the racers was that the course was tough, a challenge, fun, difficult, etc, but never was I told it was not fun nor would they do it again. I call that a success! Stay tuned for the 2011 Challenge!
Without the support of our sponsors, this would not have been possible. A huge thanks to them! Atlas Snowshoes, The Elephants Perch, Sun Valley Nordic Center, Pete Lane's Mountain Sports

Here is what one participant had to say: "With clear roads and being 50 miles closer to Sun Valley from Idaho Falls at work at the Idaho National Laboratory, I took personal leave at 9am and popped over to participate in the noontime Sun Valley 5K Snowshoe Challenge, part of the week long Nordic Festival.  Knowing the race director, I expected a grueling course, and was not disappointed.  The open skating lane section allowed competitors to sort out while climbing to the ridge, prior to the narrow sections of awesome single track.  The course represented snowshoeing at its best, with thigh busting open sections, beautiful vistas and a long, screaming downhill single track to the finish. There were strong local competitors and great event camaraderie, with cheering for remaining finishers and plenty of prizes for all.  I'm glad I made the effort to join and will return." -Tom Broschel

RESULTS:

1. Andy-Jones Wilkins - 35:05
2. Tom Broschel - 37:15
3. Matt Morell - 37:47
4. Ted - 38:12
5. John Fox - 39:12
6. Kathy Morell - 1st Female - 40:32
7. Roger Mankus - 46:16
8. Nancy Buxton - 49:03
9. Mal Prior - 53:24
10. Sharon hammer - 53:50
11. Michele Rice - 54:44
12. Sandy Letzing - 57:28
13. Kate Rosso
      Kate Driscoll - 1:01:02
14. Sid Rivers - 1:03:03
15. Eric Adams - 1:03:04
16. Diane Shay - 1:15:38
17. Kelly Ek - 1:19:45
18. Cindy Moore
      Terence Davitt - 1:56:00 

WHEN: February 3, 2010    
START TIME: 12 NOON

WHERE: Sun Valley Nordic Center, White Cloud Trails

ENTRY FEE: Early registration: December 1, 2009 – midnight February 2, 2010 - $15.00. Race day registration - $25.00  Discounted to $15 as of 1/27/10

REGISTRATION: UPDATE 1/27/10 - It has been brought to our attention that some folks have experienced a problem with active.com. To be more specific, an "insecure site" message pops up (for some) which scares people off the site. I went through the process with active and did not experience this nor did some other registrants. I also spoke with active and was told it is the security setting on the computer of the person trying to register. Active.com is a secure site.

In an attempt to give the participant the early registration fee option who is not comfortable with the "insecure site" message, we have decided to drop the increased race day registration fee to $15. If you do not want to register through active.com, please print the mail-in form and fill it out prior to racer check-in on race day.
 
Register at www.active.com December 1, 2009 - midnight February 2, 2010. Race day registration will be available from 9am-11:30am. A snail mail form is available here. If you are planning on mailing a registration, I need to have it by February 1, 2010. Email notification will be sent out to those that register via snail mail.

AWARDS: The first place male and female will receive a 40% off gift certificate from the Elephants Perch to apply toward a new pair of Atlas Snowshoes and a $75 gift card to be used at Pete Lane's. We will also have a raffle table for all entrants with goodies from Atlas, the Perch, Sun Valley Nordic Center plus more!

Atlas Snowshoes Available: We will have a limited number of Atlas Snowshoes available for use, free of charge. They will be issued first come - first served during racer check-in. Of course,  you may use your own and any size. We are not placing restrictions on snowshoe dimensions.

Runner check – in: All runners must check-in on race morning, prior to 11:45am to sign a release waiver and pick up your bib.

ENTRANTS LIST:

EVENT SPONSORS