That’s correct folks!! Leadville is now hosting a 100mile ski race. This monumental event is the first of its kind in North America and is perhaps rivaled by the 24 HOURS OF TELEMARK RACE, and the ARTIC CIRCLE RACE in Greenland. This event is taking place this upcoming weekend: Saturday March, 15. Entries for the inaugural event will close on the 13th.
Bill Perkins of Leadville, the race director, has organized this race to the smallest dot. Bill has done an unbelievable job with grooming, sponsor support, attracting volunteers, not to mention training of his own, for he will also be racing: in the solo division.
The race consists of four times around a 25 mile lap, which has been measured using GPS navigation devices. This epic event will take place starting at the Colorado Mountain College at 6am. An 18hr. cutoff will be strictly enforced at 12 midnight. Many categories exist for entrants: soloists, pairs, and teams of four. Age groups consist of: 34 and under, 35-49, and 50 plus. Pairs and teams will average their combined ages to determine which age group they end up in.
This is a 100 mile ski race on perfectly groomed trails, both for classic and for skate. Pre and Post race meals are included in the entry fee cost. The racer’s packets are considered to be “plump” with “no junk,” and the “awards are sure to be cherished.”
I will be competing in the solo division and hope to reach the incomparable endorphin high which race director Bill Perkins has experienced and will continue to feel every time he skis 100 miles. I will provide a complete recap of this exciting adventure to and for all of you next weekend. Of course this last statement is assuming I am still alive, or at least awake. I am extremely excited for this adventure.
More information can be found at <http://www.leadvilleusa.com/ski100.htm . Bill Perkins can be contacted at 1-719-486-9455.
