Wonderful weather was on hand for the Community Fun Races and its participants last Saturday. The trails had just been groomed and the overcast sky cleared enough for the sun to peek out during the event.
The Hot Chocolate Run was underway by 10:45 as planned and twenty-nine kids crowded the start line, each with an adult as their partner. The kids stopped near the bridge for hot chocolate while the adults completed the Lizard Lookout and Cedar loops before returning to the hut with their young partner. It was all over in thirty minutes. A selection of prizes awaited the young ones at the finish line.
This was followed by a 12 km race done as a relay race or solo. Five relay teams drawn from available youth and adult participants plus ten solo skiers took part. Loud cheers from the crowd greeted the skiers at the end of each 3 km lap. The fastest participant completed the full course in a fast 42 minutes while others finished it in 73 minutes or less!
The event ended with ten 300 m sprints by groups of kids, youth or adults. This fast skiing by seventeen racers included a few falls but ended with smiles at the finish.
Sam and Johnny organized the event and many volunteers lended a hand at grooming, stadium preparation, food preparation, hot chocolate station and safety patrol. The young Fernie Racers helped in the kids races as well. More photos in our gallery page.
