Tubbs Romp to Stomp Snowshoe Series Race Report – Vancouver

Romp1Due to days of heavy rainfall in the Vancouver area, the British Columbia Tubbs Romp to Stomp Snowshoe Series on March 2 at Mount Seymour had to be pushed back from Saturday to Sunday.

This executive decision could not have worked out better. On a day when breast cancer survivors, their families, friends, lovers, and BFF’s across every generation gathered to celebrate their fundraising efforts and Romp to Stomp out breast cancer, a glorious blue sky day made the cause all the merrier.

Romp3Imagine a sea of pink tutus, pink bikinis, pink boas, pink bling…on snowshoes! Nothing makes a better backdrop for all that pink than clear blue skies and fresh snow. The weather cooperated the day of the event, snow conditions held up after the rain and made for a nicely packed trail.

Tubbs Romp to Stomp Snowshoe Series has great options for all levels that include a 3k race (perfect for beginner racers like myself) and a 5K walk that lends itself to all ages and abilities. Lil’ Rompers are encouraged to participate too. Three tents of demo Tubbs snowshoes were available for anyone to use on a first come first served basis.

After on-site registration, participants gather near the start/finish line for some serious PINK fun in their race/ walk attire and newly acquired swag. The pre-race gathering kicked off with a guided warm up, intros from the emcee, heartfelt words of appreciation and encouragement from survivors and of course a silent auction in the comforts of a heated tent.

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The 3K racers left first along a well-marked undulating packed course. Once the 5K walkers start their romp, the two trails began to merge together. This is a nice idea for inspiration and encouragement along the way, but if you’re competitive, having to detour around the walkers can take a few minutes off your time.

In this series, the walk is the most popular. I expect this will change in the near future as snowshoe running is growing in popularity and the Tubbs Romp to Stomp offers the perfect non-intimidating environment to try it.

This year, 110 participants raised approximately $9,200 through their fundraising efforts. I was disappointed in the total turnout given the cause and the caliber of the event. However, the BC Romp to Stomp really is in the early stages of awareness and needs our support. The turnout compared to US and Ontario locations the event has nowhere to go but up.

Although this was both my first snowshoe race and my first Romp, it won’t be my last. I intend to help in many ways moving forward and encourage you to do the same. Plus, it’s always fun to dress up in pink and party on your snowshoes with such caring people with great stories to share.

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Oregon, Colorado, Vermont, Minnesota, New Jersey, Utah, Washington, Ontario and now BC…make the Tubbs Romp to Stomp your feel good snowshoe mission every year. They’ll thank you for it in more ways than one – prizes, new friends and an incredibly well-organized event.

For more information: http://tubbsromptostomp.com

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