The Western Mass Athletic Club sponsors a series of snowshoe races.
By SETH ROBERTS
WÂestern Mass Athletic Club (WMAC) member Ed Alibozek started the snowshoe racing series in 1995 along with fellow member Paul Hartwig. Thanks to their hard work, especially by Ed, the snowshoe series is now set to begin its 18th season this Saturday with a race in Poestinkill, N.Y. (near Williamstown). This is the first of 16 scheduled races.
For those who don’t know, a new type of snowshoe was designed more than a decade ago. These are not your grandpa’s wooden snowshoes. The running snowshoe is smaller and lighter, with a metal frame. In addition, they have a binding that easily attaches to running shoes. The binding can rotate, so you can push off with the advantage of a metal cleat under your forefoot.
During the 1995 season, only two races were held. The races were free fun runs with distances from 5 to 10 miles. In 1998 they started charging a small fee for the races held in the Savoy Forest as more snowshoe racers were coming and they wanted to offer refreshments. By 2000, there were five races on the schedule.
As interest grew, more organizations added races. Most of the races are in Berkshire County, but the WMAC series includes races in New York and Vermont, and one in New Hampshire. Although most are an hour or so from Springfield, and the Vermont and New York races are close to 2 hours away, this hasn’t deterred Springfield area snowshoers. Many carpool to races.
All of the races since 1998 have been included as part of a points series. Alibozek keeps track of all participants’ places, and awards points based on place, not time. Each year men’s and women’s champions are crowned, and runners can track their standings on a weekly basis.
Snowshoe racing is similar to trail running as most courses are not groomed. Footing can be choppy and uneven. Most courses are single track trail, which are marked the morning of the race. Some courses are run on groomed wider trails, while many, such as the Northfield Mountain course, have a combination of both.
Dion snowshoes are made by WMAC member Bob Dion in southern Vermont. Bob has been present at most of the races for years, loaning runners snowshoes if they are neophytes. His dedication to the sport has led the club to name the races the WMAC Dion Snowshoe series. He now charges a nominal fee ($3) for a pair of loaners at each race.
In 2011, the club honored its 10,000th finisher of the series at Moody Spring in Hawley. Although last year only two races were held, New England’s finicky weather does not deter Ed or any of the other race directors. The listing for all races can be found on the WMAC website
Since weather is such a factor, the website also has weekly reports of conditions for upcoming races. You may be added to Ed’s email list by sending him a note at edtrnews@yahoo.com You’ll receive an update 24 to 48 hours before each event.
Most of the races are held in state forests, so if you enjoy beautiful scenery, snowshoe racing can be whatever you make it – a hard winter workout or a beautiful, peaceful morning in the woods. Â