The 2016 Marsh Lake Ski Loppet was about more than skiing on Saturday.
Yes, there were plenty of costumes, as usual. But this year a fat-bike race was included at the 22nd annual event in Marsh Lake.
Whitehorse’s Aaron Foos was the top finisher in field of 14 cyclists, completing the 10-kilometre course in 45 minutes and 47 seconds. Niki Deneault was the top female at 1:08:04.
A pair of Whitehorse skiers picked up the Elizabeth Sheardown Award for the fastest times on the 20-kilometre course. Sara Nielsen was the top female at 1:17:47 and David Greer the top male at 58:12, outpacing junior male Lucier Hudson - the only other skier to break an hour at 59:32.
The race went swimmingly for Kate Alexander. She placed second in the 10-kilometre female masters III division and picked up the Captain Fun Award.
“Kate Alexander was so funny,” said chief of course John Streicker. “She skied with a snorkel and a mask and about a kilometre out from the end of the race she stripped down and came in in a bathing suit. When she came across the finish line she did it like she was swimming. It was just hilarious.”
At just two years and two months old, atom boys skier Rowan Wallace pocketed the Youngest Skier Award.
A total of 235 skiers registered for the race, just shy of the 251 that registered in 2010, which is believed to be a record.
“We don’t know for sure,” said Streicker. “We don’t have good records going back.”
Contact Tom Patrick at
tomp@yukon-news.com