Snowshoe Race At Frontenac Provincial Park

Jan 21, 2015

by Julie Druker

Snowshoe racing, which has been popular in the U.S. for years, is fast becoming a popular winter activity in Canada as well, both for fitness lovers and more competitive types. Many snowshoe racers are road runners in the fair weather months, who have taken up the sport as a way to keep fit and / or stay competitive at a time when winter snow and ice can make for dangerous running conditions. Others are competitive athletes who use the activity as way to cross train in the winter months.

Over 70 of these varying types gathered at Frontenac Provincial Park, located just north of Sydenham on January 18 to take part in the Dion Frontenac Park Snow Shoe race, one of six races in a series that is being put on by Derrick Spafford of Spafford Health and Adventure.

The first race in the series took place in Morrisburg at Upper Canada Village on January 10 and attracted over 140 racers, which was up from the previous year.

The Frontenac Park race attracted snowshoe racers and enthusiasts from all over Ontario, including from Whitby, Toronto, Ottawa, Kingston, Cornwall, Montreal, Inverary, and Sydenham, as well as competitors from New York state.

Derrick Spafford, who is the race coordinator for the Dion Series and the race director at Frontenac Park, said that both he and his wife Sara compete. They have been organizing the race at Frontenac Park for the last six years. Derrick said that the Frontenac Park race is a favorite for racers in the area. “This course is a challenging, rolling course and it offers racers a little bit of everything. There are fast sections and a number of climbing sections but both veterans and beginners always really enjoy it,” he said.

Asked if there is a special technique required for snowshoe racing he replied, “If you can run, you can snowshoe run.”

The racing snowshoes, which are 21 inches long and 7 inches wide, are incredibly light weight and only require a small step, not the huge wide stance that people often associate with the traditional wooden frame snow shoes.

Spafford said he believes that the sport is continually growing but a lot of people are still unaware of it. “We're trying to promote the sport as a really great way to get out and enjoy the winter while also avoiding having to run on roads or treadmills.” In an effort to attract novices, Spafford at each race offers a rental fleet of snow shoes at a cost of just $5 per day. “We have a lot of people who come out to these races who have never had snowshoes on their feet before.”

Corey Turnbull of Smiths Falls, one of the participants at the race, started up a snowshoe racing team called The Snow Squalls, which to date boasts 15 members, many of whom were competing at the park. Turnbull came third overall in the series last year. He has been racing for the last four years and credits Spafford for getting him started in the sport. He said that the Frontenac Park race is one of his favorites. “The park is gorgeous and the atmosphere here is always incredibly friendly as well.”

Also among the participants were 16 members of a team from Paul Smiths College in northern New York state. This was the third year that members of the team have traveled to Frontenac Park to compete in the race and the coach, Jim Tucker, said that the team has been racing in Canada for the past 25 years. “Frontenac Park is a great facility and is a lot like where we run at home. For some of these racers it is their first time visiting Canada.”

I also spoke with three local participants who love the sport for the fitness opportunity it offers in the winter months. Basia Farnell of Inverary said she loves to get out in the winter and she runs at the park regularly.

Here are the race results as found on the Spafford Health and Adventure website (healthand adventure.com): Nick Best of Ottawa posted the fastest time of the day in the men’s race in a time of 28:32 for the 6.6km course. Jesse Bruce of Toronto followed in 29:51, with Charley Murphy of Toronto in third in 30:46. Alan Cushman of Paul Smith’s College in New York was the top masters in the men's race in 32:42. In the women’s race, Celine Best of Gatineau, QC finished first in a time of 35:57. Chloe Mattilio of Paul Smith’s College, NY was second in 39:06, followed by Deborah Berry of Kingston in third in 42:30. Jenn Ross of Merrickville was the top female master in 47:26

The top male and female performers, who are required to run in at least three of the six races in the series, will be declared the series champions and will each receive a free pair of Dion snowshoes.

The next race in the Dion Series will take place in Brighton ON on January 31 at 10am inside the Goodrich-Loomis Conservation Centre, which is located adjacent to the parking lot. Race day registration is from 8:30 – 9:45am. For more information visit healthandadventure.com