Beaver Creek Snowshoe Race on March 1 Brings Locals to the Podium

McCoy Park, Beaver Creek

Racers on the McCoy Park course in Beaver Creek on March 1. Photo by Kim Fuller.

Second race in the 2015 series brings temperate weather, a soft course, smiling snowshoers and sweaty competitors. 

Sunday’s snowshoe race at Beaver Creek, Colorado’s McCoy Park brought out both speedy and leisurely snowshoers. The snow had some give, particularly on the single-track trails, which made every step a little more effort.

“It was really soft, which made it hard,” said Josiah Middaugh, Vail Valley local and winner of the 10k race in a fast 59 minutes and 32 seconds, “which is good, it’s what I like.”

McCoy Park, Beaver Creek

Racers get moving out of the start gate in McCoy Park during the Beaver Creek Running Series: Snowshoe Edition 2015. Photo by Kim Fuller.

He said Sunday’s race was “probably the 15th or 16th time [he] has done this McCoy course, so it brought back a lot of memories.”

“There’s a lot of suffering that goes on out there,” Middaugh added.

The March 1 race was moved to McCoy Park, because snow was scarce on the originally intended course. The Beaver Creek Running Series: Snowshoe Edition, is a USSSA regional qualifying event, and is sponsored by Aquafina and Snowshoe Magazine, among others. It brings in first-time snowshoers of all ages, as well as world-class athletes like Middaugh, who is an eight-time Xterra USA national champion and a two-time USA Winter Triathlon national champion, among other achievements.

A 10k race and a 5k race is offered, as well as a Kids K to warm up the starting line. The series is usually four races total, but this year is was cut to three because of the 2015 Alpine Ski World Championships.

Local Female Wins 5k

Beaver Creek resident Corrie Crane won overall on the March 1 5k — sweeping the snowy field on her home turf with a time of 43 minutes and 36 seconds.

McCoy Park, Beaver Creek

Beaver Creek resident Corrie Crane on top of the podium for her age group. Crane also won the 5k race overall. Photo by Kim Fuller.

“The weather was definitely pleasant, but a little gray,” she said of Sunday’s conditions. “As far as the race, it was super peaceful through the trees, and it was a good little altitude push for my lungs and my endurance.”

Crane said she tries to participate in the series every year.

“The company I work for, East West Resorts, is one of the sponsors, and they really encourage a balanced lifestyle between work and play,” Crane shared. “They support us and get us out here on our day off.”

She said the series helps her stay focused on two of her passions: nature and fitness.

“For me, snowshoeing gets me out into the outdoors, and nature is one of my favorite pastimes here,” Crane explained. “Since the races are so spread out throughout the winter season, it’s also about maintaining my cardio and my endurance.”

McCoy Park, Beaver Creek

Snowshoe racers trudge through singletrack in McCoy Park, Beaver Creek, during the March 1 snowshoe race. Photo by Kim Fuller.

Post-Race Camaraderie

A lot of participants stayed for the post-event plaza party, where they were given a boxed lunch from The Dusty Boot restaurant, and were entered to win in the giveaway — a raffle that included several pairs of Atlas snowshoes.

Middaugh sat near the podium with his wife and two sons, who all completed the race.

McCoy Park, Beaver Creek

Medals are given in age group categories for the Beaver Creek Running Series: Snowshoe Edition. Photo by Kim Fuller.

“This has always been a great series for me, and I like that I can bring the family out here and they can participate in the 5k,” he said. “It’s a good time.”

For a full list of race results, visit www.beavercreekrunningseries.com/march-1-2015-results/.

The next and final race in the 2015 Beaver Creek Running Series: Snowshoe Edition, will be held on Sunday, March 29 at 11 a.m. The start and finish location will once again be at McCoy Park, located on the top of Beaver Creek’s Strawberry Park Express LIft.

On Their Feet 

Race winners Josiah Middaugh and Corrie Crane had different snow wear on Sunday’s race:

  • Josiah Middaugh wore direct-mount Northern Lite racing snowshoes. He said they have a simple design, and that he loves how lightweight they are.
  • Corrie Crane wore a pair of “14-year-old Atlas racing snowshoes.” They were brand new when she got them, she said, and they have done her well — getting her on the podium several times.

Kim Fuller is a writer and avid snowshoer based in Vail, Colorado. 

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