We saw a mixed bag of weather for the first of three of the local series on Mount Seymour. Cool and crisp would describe the day with the track feeling firm under foot. We new the times would be fast on this tough North Shore course.
Both the 5k Power Hike and 10k Snowrun categories had a little under 100 participants which made for some exciting snowshoeing. Long time team Yeti member Ryan Ervin showed the spectators that although he has not been racing he still has some serious zip in his step. Ryan set the fastest time in the 5k coming in at 29:42. Big time local adventure racer and all around good guy Adrian Rothwell was second 34:08 and rounding out the top three was Team Yeti member Ray Barrett 35:00 even. In the women’s field some super quick times were posted with Monika Owczarek flying through the 5k course in 38:40 a close second was Rachel Sanchez and in third place was Suzanna Ritchie 42:18.
The Mount Seymour snowshoe course is tough, arguably the toughest on the circuit. The undulating terrain really starts to add up to some serious elevation. And when the hills come they come steep especially the final climb through BC Parks, total burner!
Speaking of burner, Jason Terauchi Loutitt was once again on fire for the 10k Snowrun. He went out hard and then went harder with Colin Dignam hot on his heels. The reining Canadian National Snowshoe Champ put on a clinic ripping the course apart in 48:01. If it is OK with Jason I would like to refer to him as JT. Colin Dignam racing for Atlas Canada was working hard but couldn’t close the gap finishing in 50:35. Although this was a good enough time to win the Masters cat. In third place overall was junior runner Shaun Stevens Wales obviously taking 1st place in the junior cat and third overall with a time of 52:43.
The women’s field has also been a hot one for the 2009 Yeti Snowshoe season with 2 new faces of the front. Syl Corbett once again showed her experience and strong hill climbing ability placing first overall with a time of 56:36 which put her just outside the top 10 overall. A close second place was Tamsin Anstey from Team Yeti crossing the line 28 seconds later with a time of 57:04. Carey Sather rounded out the top three in 1:06.
For the first time at a Yeti event the start times for the 5k Power Hike and 10k Snowrun were split. This is a big change for the Snowshoe series but one that was met with enthusiasm. It relieved the 10 o’clock rush at registration, it streamlined our ability to tabulate results and it eliminated congestion on the single track sections of the course. Over all both race organizers and participants were pleased with the change and moving ahead both Grouse and Cypress will follow suit.
Speaking of Grouse and Cypress the season is not over yet, keep shoen’ because we have 2 more great Venues to feature for the 2009 Yeti Snowshoe Series.
Thanks to the Mount Seymour for having us and a big thanks to all the volunteers and competitors who came out and enjoyed the day!
Photos courtesy John Crosby and Jessica Langley.
