The forecast seems fitting for northern B.C.’s yearly premier chill thrill for marathoners of all ages.
The 33rd Prince George Iceman commences this Sunday (Feb. 9) as hundreds of athletes will race for the 2020 titles of Iceman and Icewoman.
As of this publication, Environment Canada is calling for a high of 0 C, also known as freezing point, along with some periods of snow and a low of -3 C.
This is an improvement compared to -23 C for the 2019 competition, which was reported as the coldest start in Iceman history.
The Iceman’s organizing committee says if the weather dips to an unsafe temperature or if conditions are not ideal the morning of the race, they will be forced to cancel the event.
“At 8 a.m. on the day of the event, we will announce, if required, on Facebook and our website if we need to delay the start of the event by one hour to an 11 a.m. start,” reads the Prince George Iceman website.
“This is the maximum that we can delay the start due to traffic control and venue restrictions.”
The race consists of five stages:
- 8 km cross-country ski at the Caledonia Nordic Club (two 4 km laps)
- 10 km run from Otway Road to Prince George Outdoor Ice Oval
- 5 km speed-skate (12 laps around the Ice Oval)
- 5 km run to Prince George Aquatic Centre
- 400-metre swim in Aquatic Centre Pool
Athletes and teams are expected to start at 10 a.m. unless there’s a weather delay and finish in time for the post-Iceman lunch buffet at the Prince George Civic Centre, where the winners will be rewarded.
Prince George residents Rob McDougall and Jocelyn Poirier-Hardy are the defending champions of the solo races.
Fans and spectators are encouraged to come out and support their friends and family participating in the 33rd Prince George Iceman.
A free shuttle bus is available and organizers encouraged everyone to take advantage to avoid heavy traffic and ensure racer and volunteer safety.
The bus runs every 20 minutes with the first bus leaving the Aquatic Centre at 8:20 a.m. and the last shuttle leaving Caledonia Nordic at 12:15 p.m.
More information is available on the Iceman website.
