Snowshoers from as far as New York or Montreal traveled to Lewiston this weekend for the 110th International Snowshoe Championship, hosted by Le Paresseux Snowshoe Club of Rumford.
Saturday began with an 8K walk at the Lewiston Armory field.
After the first — and longest — course, there were walks, races and relays well into the afternoon.
The afternoon included “tiny tots” to 12-year-olds participating 25- to 100-meter races.
The adult races included 50-meter sprints; 400-, 800- and 1,500-meter competitions; and concluded the men’s 3,000-meter race.
Many of the racers were from the Paul Smith’s College’s snowshoe team of upstate New York.
Matthew Frye of Paul Smith’s College said most of his team seek to compete in as many races as possible.
“You’re here,” Frye said. “You might as well enjoy yourself and run.”
Frye said the trick to running in snowshoes is to adapt a certain gait, “otherwise you’ll just fall down.”
Independent snowshoe runners were also welcome to register to race. The only requirement was that the snowshoes could not be smaller than 8 inches wide and 28 inches long.
Most higher-level or professional snowshoe racers used aluminum gear, which organizer Carol Eric said are lighter than more traditional wooden snowshoes.
Some racers stuck to the wooden snowshoes, which are usually worn with moccasins, while aluminum showshoes are typically worn with sneakers.
Marie Arsenault, an organizer of the event, said the snowshoes races began more than 100 years ago as a game between the lumberjacks and Canadians.
“They drank a little, they partied a little,” Arsenault said. “It was a big party.”
Le Paresseux is an international group from the United States and Canada.
Eric said the event used to attract larger crowds, and she wishes more people would attend the races.
“We used to have hundreds of racers when we had conventions,” Eric said.
Arsenault said the sport usually runs 5K or 1K races, but the course they have allowed for 200- or 300-yard laps.
“It’s a lot of work” to put together, she said.
After Saturday’s races, the club held a party for participants at the Ramada Inn.
Awards will be presented during a brunch ceremony scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Sunday.
Matthew Frye of Paul Smith’s College competes Saturday in the 110th International Snowshoe Championship, hosted by Le Paresseux Snowshoe Club of Rumford. Paul Smith’s College is in the Adirondacks Region in upstate New York.
Snowshoer Olivier Pichette (145) takes off Saturday after having been passed the baton during a relay race the 110th International Snowshoe Championship, hosted by Le Paresseux Snowshoe Club of Rumford.
Margret Montag of Paul Smith’s College competes Saturday at the 110th International Snowshoe Championship, hosted by Le Paresseux Snowshoe Club of Rumford.
Corrie Desilets (137) trails Emilie Morton (110) on Saturday at the 110th International Snowshoe Championship, hosted by Le Paresseux Snowshoe Club of Rumford. Both snowshoers are from Paul Smith’s College in upstate New York.
Traditional snowshoes, owned by Olivier Pichette, made of hard wood, such as ash. The webbing is rawhide (strips of denuded animal skin). Webbing material was traditionally moose, deer or caribou.
Olivier Pichette (145) follows Matthew Frye (142), who trails Cody Sears (149) in the 100-meter dash Saturday at the 110th International Snowshoe Championship, hosted by Le Paresseux Snowshoe Club of Rumford.
Bob Gamache (101) runs with John Mollice (147) at the 110th International Snowshoe Championship, hosted by Le Paresseux Snowshoe Club of Rumford.
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