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FLRC Newsletter - Mar 2004 |
| Evans and Harman Defend Titles at the Finger Lakes Snowshoe | |
Sometimes the Finger Lakes Snowshoe, held at the Finger Lakes National Forest in Hector, takes place in a serene, swirling snow globe.
But the seventh annual Finger Lakes Snowshoe 7.6-mile race and one-mile fun run, held Jan. 31, at times resembled a scene right out of the Wizard of Oz. With the temperature 15 degrees and high wind gusts, snowshoers racing across the open fields might have seen witches on bicycles, cows and little dogs blowing by in a funnel of snow.
None of this, however, could stop the human snowplow Alan Evans, who continued his near-perfect streak of victories, or Rebecca Harman, who battled all the men to finish third overall -- and claim her second-straight women's title.
The 40-year-old Evans, of Hornby, won his sixth Finger Lakes Snowshoe 7.6-mile title in 1 hour, 3 minutes and 45 seconds, setting a new masters course record by five minutes. Evans also owns the open course record (1:00:12), set last year in near-perfect conditions.
"It feels good to win again, especially when you turn 40," said Evans, a Corning, Inc., research scientist. "All bets are off then, because you never know what will happen. But I knew the (masters) time I had to beat, and didn't think I'd slow down eight minutes in one year."
Jay Hubisz, 24, of Ithaca placed second overall in 1:13:11, and Darren Zanon, 24, also of Ithaca, placed third male -- but fourth overall, in 1:15:42. George Hluck, 41, of Painted Post won the masters title (because Evans won overall), placing fifth in 1:17:16.
Evans followed Hubisz for a few minutes after the start, then charged ahead through ungroomed trails and snowdrifts.
"(Jay) was keeping up a good pace, but it was a challenge for me to be behind him as he kicked up clouds of snow," Evans said. "I was thinking what it would be like to put on big floppy clown shoes, like snowshoes, and still try to do any other sport. Where I come from (Wisconsin), they have snowshoe softball leagues, and I think I have some of that in my blood. I like the challenge of snowshoeing, and any excuse to get out in the woods is a good one. I also know the course so well, it helps me mentally to go through it (alone)."
"Brutal is Alan's middle name," joked Evans' wife Renee, who brings all their children into the wilderness each year to cheer on their father. "You know we have a tough family when a seven-, five- and two-year old all come, and enjoy the race."
"I don't think I duked it out with Alan at all, but Becky was definitely a big part of my race," said Hubisz, who battled Becky for second place. "I went out slowly, not knowing what to expect since it was my first snowshoe race, and only the 2nd time on snowshoes. After about 25 minutes into the race, I found myself following about 100 yards behind Becky, and running along with an unidentified runner in black (Darren Zanon?).
"At 30 minutes, I stopped at an aid station for some drink, and I lost a lot of ground on Becky and the other runner," Hubisz added "I spent the rest of the race slowly gaining ground on Becky (I passed the runner in black on the ungroomed ravine trail after the aid station). It was only in the last three-quarters of a mile from the finish that I caught up with her. I was feeling strong at that point, and passed her. But I wasn't ready for the final hill of the course. I would have ended up walking most of the end if it wasn't for Becky behind me, cheering me on and telling me there wasn't too much further to go. I, in fact, felt terrible about taking the lead I wasn't fully able to carry out to the end. I owe my place in the race to her and her cheering"
Despite the battle with Hubisz for second overall,, the 34-year-old Harman, of Willseyville, easily defended her women's title in 1:13:16. In an Evans-esqe performance, the seasoned trail runner, 2:57 marathoner and multiple gold medal winner in the Empire State Wineter Games Nordic sprints and 5K, missed second place overall by a mere five seconds.
Nancy Kleinrock, 43, of Trumansburg placed second in 1:26:48, and 29-year-old Ann Brewer, also of Trumansburg was third in 1:30:32.
"I was second woman overall, but I say I'm the first 'human' woman," said Kleinrock. "Because we all know that Becky is a super human."
Sue Aigen, 50, of Ithaca defended her masters title (because masters Kleinrock finished in the top three), and let the dogs loose in the howling fields of Siberia.
"A big part of the snowshoe run is having the fortitude to deal with the weather," said Aigen. "Lots of people gave up or slowed down. During the first mile, it felt like, 'Oh, this is hard!' I wasn't feeling the groove. But once I got going, all of a sudden I started flowing. At times, I was alone, not knowing where everyone was. But I felt mentally and physically prepared to do it. Once I hit those fields, I took off. It was a surreal feeling, fighting the elements, especially in Siberia where the snow was swirling.But I was having fun, and at the end, I wasn't totally spent — just cold."
The Finger Lakes Snowshoe is presented by the Finger Lakes Runners Club, and was sponsored this year by Redfeather Snowshoes of Colorado, and Logan Ridge Winery of Hector.
Overall winners in the open and masters categories -- and age-group champions — in the 7.6-mile race each received moose or snowmen on snowshoes, and a bottle of Ridge-Runner Red wine, donated by Logan Ridge.
"We donated wine as prizes, and we opened up the winery after the race so everyone could come in, (eat) and warm up before heading home," said Logan Ridge marketing director Gail Fink, who completed her first snowshoe race in 2:14:47. "The race was challenging, but it was great. It was absolutely gorgeous, especially in the woods and I'll do it again next year."
"I think our goals for the snowshoe race have materialized over time," added race director Joe Reynolds. "People are out on snowshoes, with new tracks on the forest trails all the time. It was awesome to see all the new people trying the fun run today. I'm proud of everyone."
Sarah DuBois, a Horseheads High School junior, agrees. She placed second in the fun run behind friend Angie Corby.
"I like snowshoeing a lot; it's a different experience," she said. "It's something you remember for the rest of your life."
[Portions of this article appeared in the Star Gazette.]
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