For 30 years, skiers, skaters, runners and swimmers have been breaking up the doldrums of winter by getting out to train for the Prince George Iceman.
Some get together to form teams, some tackle the annual multisport endurance event on their own. Well if they haven't started getting their bodies in shape to live up to the demands of the race, time is running out.
The race is set for the morning of Sunday, Feb. 12, starting at Otway Nordic Centre. The deadline for registration is fast approaching, Sunday, Feb. 7 at 11:59 p.m.
Skiers will complete an eight kilometre course at Otway, then change into running shoes for a 10 km jaunt to the Exhibition Park ice oval for the five km skating leg. The race continues with a five km run that leads to the Aquatic Centre for the final leg, an 800 metre swim in the 50 m pool.
Go to strideandglide.ca to register. The cost is $90 for individuals, $35 for team members and $25 for junior team members. Unattached team competitors can hook up with teams in need of another member through the website.
Race packages will be available for pickup the day before the race from 5-7 p.m. at the Civic Centre. Volunteers are needed to help with race package distribution and on the day of the race. Contact volunteer coordinator Nicola Hill at [email protected].
On race day, parking is limited at Otway and racers are encouraged to use the free shuttle bus service to the ski trails which leaves every 20 minutes from the Aquatic Centre parking lot, starting at 8:40 p.m.
Last year's solo winners were Shar Balogh and Cam McNamara. Baloch finished fifth overall as the top female, stopping the clock in 1:51:35, while McNamara won the men's race in 1:39:59.
