The Atlas Mad Trapper “The Hilly Course” Race Report

The second race in the Atlas Mad Trapper Race Series happened over the weekend of January 7. Known simply as “The Hilly Course,” the race lived up to its name.

Participants of the race choose from a 5k or 10k distance, as is the custom of all the races in the series, giving the athletes either a little taste or the full dose of what Race Director Mike Caldwell described as, “The most challenging course ever set here! There was certainly no shortage of elevation change and it you weren’t going up or down you were turning and veering left or right.”

With a record snowfall prior to the race, much of what the athletes ran in was unset powder, leaving even the most hardened racers struggling to keep pace with the slow conditions. With race day temperatures around -7C and sunny, the runners at least had only the course to challenge them on this day.

The 5k event was won by  Bruno LaFontaine in a time of 48:36. The female winner was Lisa Stevens in 54:58.

The 10k race featured last years series champion and current Canadian snowshoe team member Derrick St. John. Much of the race saw Derrick work hard to fend off a solid effort from Max LeBoef (2nd overall in 1:21:58) to take the win in a time of 1:18.42.

The female race was easily won by Natasha Elliot in 1:33.24 beating her closest rival by over eight minutes.

Most we excited to have met the challenge that the “Hilly Course” represents and are not doubt already circling their calendars for the next race in the series which will bring its own set of difficulties. The Bushtukah Night Race held on January 26 has a 6:30 p.m. start time and as the name implies you should bring a headlamp and be ready to experience snowshoeing in a whole new light.

For further information about the Atlas Mad Trapper Series and other events at The Ark please follow this LINK.

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