It wasn't the largest cross-country ski event that 100 Mile House has seen, but the 2011 Cariboo Marathon Gold Rush certainly ranks in among the best.
This year's race ran on Feb. 12 with 164 paid registrants, which, although down from the usual 200, was sufficient to make it a good day for skiers and organizers.
Adding to the success was an abundance of snow, reasonable temperatures and cash prizes for some of the fastest times.
Simon Perreault from Prince George was the overall winner and fastest male in the 50-kilometre distance. He finished the course in 3:34.05.9 and won $250.
The fastest female was Nikki Kassel, who is a repeat Cariboo Marathon winner from Prince George, was clocked at 3:37.33.8 and was also third-place overall. She also won $250,
Both fastest times prizes were sponsored by Donex Pharmacy.
The winning times were close to 30 minutes slower than usual, due to warm conditions that resulted in a slow track. The temperature at the start of the marathon was -3 C, but warmed up and hovered around 3 C for much of the race.
The fastest local male to cross the finish line in the 50-km race was Dennis Wick of 108 Mile with a time of 3:57.20.
Janet Wright, 71, of 108 Mile was the fastest local female and fourth-place local overall, with a time of 6:18.30.8. Both Wick and Wright were awarded $250 cash prizes, sponsored by The Hills Health Ranch.
In the 30-km event, Tracy Moore of 108 Mile was the fastest female with a time of 2:27.35.1 and Lucas Jungmann of Canmore, Alta. was the fastest male with 2:16.49.2. They each were awarded $250 cash prizes.
Sister and brother, Kirsty and Ryan Bock of 108 Mile, ruled the 20-km junior event. Ryan edged out Kirsty by slightly more than one second to have the fastest overall junior time and winning time in the male division with 2:14.54.5. Kirsty was timed at 2:14.55.7 for first in the female junior division.
They each won a set of custom racing ski poles valued at more than $200.
The oldest participant was Magnus Bratlien from Vancouver who, at 79 years, finished the 30-km race in 3:22.54.3 for second place in the male over 70 division.
The youngest skier was four-year-old Boden Rich from 108 Mile who raced in the four-km event and finished second.
Barrie Bolton, co-chief of race, says race day went off without any major problems.
"We were happy. The tracks were good and people said they enjoyed the hospitality at the checkpoints.
"Initially, we were worried about attendance because there were three other major races that we were in competition with that same weekend. We were OK with what we got."
He adds participants were glad to see changes in the course, which eliminated the steepest hills.
"People said that the course flowed really well."
A marathon dance and awards ceremony at the 100 Mile Community Hall later that evening wrapped up the event.
Many people dressed up to celebrate the gold-rush theme and Lauren Bock and Bruce Nicolson came away with a prize for best costume.
Tom Puckett beat out six other unshaven men to win the award for best beard.
"You could have thrown him in a birch bark canoe and he would have been straight out of the fur brigades," says Bolton.
