NENSA Double Marathon Weekend: Ski The Outer Limits. Then Ski Around Mount Washington!

NENSA Double Marathon Weekend: Ski The Outer Limits. Then Ski Around Mount Washington!

February 28 (Rangeley, ME and Gorham, NH): A double marathon feature takes place this weekend, with the Banknorth Rangeley Lakes Loppet on Saturday and the Banknorth Great Glen to Bretton Woods Nordic Adventure on Sunday. The last of the Banknorth New England Marathon Series, many participants have already skied one of the other Series’ events — the Craftsbury Marathon or the Sugarloaf Ski Marathon. Those who ski three of the four events will earn a Banknorth NEMS medal, and those who ski the double marathon weekend, will earn a special prize.

Although there will be racers at each event, there is also a large group who participate in the untimed, Touring Divisions. With a leisurely start sometime after the racers’ gun goes off, many families tour the 25km distance and enjoy the food stations along the way.

On Saturday the ninth annual tour of the “Outer Limits” of the Rangeley Lakes XC Ski Club’s trail system begins at 9:30am. The Loppet features a choice of either a 25km loop once, or twice for the full 50km, as a tour, untimed and unhurried, or as a race, fast and furious. Everyone will enjoy the food — it’s “a Ski Tour for the Gliding Gourmet”. Homemade or donated by local restaurant, there will be enough cookies baked by the volunteers of the RLXC Ski Club to cover 32 square feet of table! After they cross the finish line skiers are treated to a barbeque and random bib drawing for prizes donated by the local businesses and ski industry sponsors.

Event director, Linda Dexter, of Ecopelagic, took over the organization of the race two years from founder, Jeff Foltz. “It was fun!” she insists. She gives credit to the over 80 RLXCSC volunteers who bake cookies, direct parking, groom, register skiers, and help with the timing. “The volunteers are always thrilled,” said Dexter. “When I ask them why they don’t ski the course themselves they say they have too much fun working!”

March 5, 2005, Banknorth Rangeley Lakes Loppet Rangeley Municipal Trails, Rangeley, ME. New England Marathon Series, NENSA Club Series event.

Event Info: Freestyle. 25km or 50km. Race class and Touring class. Wave Starts. Race – 9:30am, Tour – 9:50-10:10am (non-timed). Food Stations for the Gliding Gourmet! March Double Marathon Weekend Challenge! Pre-registered participants who complete both the Loppett and the Nordic Adventure (3/6/04) 50km events receive a special prize!
Registration: Race:$60 (by 1/15/05) $70 (by 2/15/05) $80 (by 3/2/05). Tour (non-timed): $30 (by 1/15/05) $35(2/15/05) $40 (by 3/2/04) Student Discount 15%. No DOR registration. Registration limit, 500. Your entry fee minus a $30 service charge is refundable up to 2/20/05. After 2/20/05 your entry fee is not refundable for any reason including postponement or cancellation. Your registration is not transferable at any time to another person or event. Register online with Active.com. Phone entries accepted, credit card only. No entries accepted without correct payment. Checks to: RLXCSC. Mail to: Rangeley Lakes XC Ski Club, P.O. Box 1283, Rangeley, ME 04970.
Contact:(P) 207/864-4309. (E)rlxcski@gwi.net
Website: www.etravelmaine.com/rangeleyxcski

Sunday’s event is the Banknorth Great Glen to Bretton Woods Nordic Adventure, the organizers are always quick to point out that anything to do with Mount Washington usually involves an adventure, so participants are prepared from the start to be prepared for anything! But that hasn’t deterred skiers of all levels from enjoying either the 25 or the 50km ski. The field of skiers looks strong, with the top three women from last yer’s Nordic Adventure 50km returning. Says event director, Sue Wemyss, “Great Glen and Bretton Woods are busy pulling everything together for another memorable Banknorth Great Glen to Bretton Woods Nordic Adventure.”

Think there are only a few hearty, crazy souls considering the doing two marathons in two days? “There has been good interest in the Double Marathon Challenge, there are over forty folks who have indicated they plan to do both Rangeley and GGBW this year, on their entry form.” Says Wemyss. “We want to wish all the participants good luck, and look forward to celebrating their accomplishments at the awards party in the Mt. Washington Hotel's Grand Ballroom.”

March 6, 2005, Banknorth Great Glen to Bretton Woods Nordic Adventure Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center & Bretton Woods Nordic Center, Gorham & Bretton Woods, NH. New England Marathon Series, NENSA Club Series events

Event Info: Classical, 50/25 K wave starts. Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center, Gorham, NH start, through White Mountain National Forest, to Bretton Woods Nordic Center, Bretton Woods, NH finish. Start times: 8:20 am 50 and 25 km timed, 8:40-8:55 am non-timed skiers. Point-to-point route. Busing, aid stations, and post-event awards party with food, performance awards and raffle prizes for participants.
Registration: Limited to 600 skiers. Pre-registration by 2/25/05 required. Timed classes: $65 by 12/31/04, $75 by 1/31/05, $85 after 1/31/05; Non-timed classes: $50 by 1/31/05, $60 after 1/31/05. Saturday night pasta dinner additional fee. No service charge for on-line registration. Please go to www.ggtobw.com for more information and registration, call Great Glen Trails, phone 603-466-2333, or email sue@greatglentrails.com. Checks to: GG to BW Nordic Adventure. Mail to: GG to BW Nordic Adventure, c/o Great Glen Trails, P.O. Box 278, Gorham, NH 03581. **Registration on-line through www.Active.com or by using a GG to BW Nordic Adventure entry form is preferred, as specific event questions are included on these forms and not on the NENSA standard entry forms. Part of the Double Marathon Weekend Challenge with the Rangeley Lakes Loppet on 3/5/05.
Contact: Great Glen Trails, 603-466-2333; sue@greatglentrails.com
Website:www.ggtobw.com
Register at SkiReg.com: http://www.active.com/event_detail.cfm?event_id=1171588