For 27 years, in winter weather extremes ranging from bone-chilling cold to balmy spring-like conditions that turn frozen roads into rivers, the Prince George Iceman has been a unique sporting event that brings out the best in the community.
Combining cross-country skiing, running, skating and swimming (indoors of course), the multi-sport relay attracts 600 competitors every year and rekindles the city's volunteer spirit to make it all happen.
That tradition will continue with the 28th annual Iceman, Sunday, Jan. 25, with a new title sponsor - Integris Credit Union - offering its support for at least the next three years. Friday's announcement came on yet another balmy December day, the kind of weather not conducive to outdoor Iceman activities. Extreme cold cancelled last year's Iceman, which served as a reminder there are never any guarantees on the weather front.
"It's giving me palpitations already, but it's early days yet," said Iceman committee chair Karen Seland.
"Historically, it's only been canceled twice in 27 years and the likelihood of it happening two years in a row is slim, so I think the odds are with us that it will be just fine."
The Iceman is the city's largest annual sporting event, attracting competitors from various parts of the province for weekend visits that support the city's service industries.
"There's a huge draw - 600 competitors - from across the province and we want to see the success of the volunteer organization going forward," said Dan Wingham, Integris's manager of partnerships and business development.
"We've long known the value of the Iceman in promoting healthy lifestyles and healthy competition while showcasing our community. We see it as building strong teams, strong individuals and ultimately a strong community. There are also the economic spinoffs of people staying in hotels, eating in restaurants and that affects our business members, so we want to be part of that."
The amount of cash Integris is committing to the Iceman was not disclosed.
"It's a sizable amount and it allows us to not have to worry about finances for the event," said Seland. "It really gives us an element of sustainability to keep the event going and enhance it in the future. It's just a big weight off the shoulders of the committee, knowing we can focus on the organization of the event itself."
In recognition of the city's 100th anniversary in 2015 and to help celebrate the city role as host of the Canada Winter Games in February, the Iceman committee has decided to reduce registration rates by half. That means individuals can register for $40 and team members can take part for $20 each ($10 for junior team members). The rates double after Jan. 1. The race has been bumped up two weeks from its traditional schedule to avoid conflicting with the Games.
Integris, a locally-owned firm, has a history of encouraging its 200 employees to take part in volunteer activities and last year they contributed a total of 5,000 volunteer hours. The company offers employees incentives by paying $100 to the charity of their choice for every 37.5 volunteer hours they fulfill on their own time to a maximum of $500. Wingham said Integris will continue to provide volunteers to help organize the Iceman race.
Integris has quadrupled its financial support for a program which allows disadvantaged elementary school students to take part in the Iceman. Harwin elementary has entered the Harwin Ice Warriors teams in Iceman for several years and three other schools are now participating in the program, which pays race registration fees and gives students access to facilities like the Aquatic Centre and Otway Nordic Centre for Iceman training.
The Iceman race consists of an eight-kilometre cross-country ski, a 10 km run, five km skate, five km run and an 800-metre swim. For more information go to pgiceman.ca.
