Otway Nordic Centre is going to be a busy place this weekend.
On Saturday, the Stride & Glide Spirit of the Rivers Loppet cross-country ski race starts 10 a.m. The big dumps the past 10 days have made for ideal conditions on the ski trails and the host Caledonia Nordic Ski Club is determined to make this year's edition of the race its biggest-ever, participation-wise.
Last year's race drew about 200 skiers. Racers have their choice of four race distances - 2.5-kilometre, 7.5km, 15km or 30km. Registration deadline is today at noon. Go to zone4.ca to sign up.
On Sunday, also starting at 10 a.m., Special Olympics BC is hosting a regional qualifier for snowshoeing. Competitors from Prince George, Quesnel, Williams Lake, Smithers and Burns Lake are expected for the race. Distances are 50-metre, 100m, 400m, 800m, 1,600m and five km.
"Regional qualifiers for winter sports happen every four years," said Wilma VanHage, public relations co-ordinator for Special Olympics BC-Prince George. "Athletes who do well will get a chance to compete in the Special Olympics BC Provincial Winter Games being held in Vernon in 2019.
"For some athletes who are just starting, this will be their first opportunity to compete, while for others it is the first step to what could possibly lead to four years of traveling to competitions."
