***Remainder of Snowshoe Series Canceled (Feb. 7 and 14)***

Week 1 Results (Jan. 10, 2010)

Join Manchester Running Company, Dion Snowshoes, and the Vernon Parks & Recreation Department this winter at Vernon Center Middle School for a great opportunity to snowshoe race in Central Connecticut!  Never snowshoed before? No Problem! Come on out and we’ll teach you and let you try snowshoes at no additional charge in our Fun-Run!

When? Every Sunday January 3, 2010- February 14, 2010
Pick-Your-Distance Fun-Run and Snowshoe Lesson 1:00 p.m.
5k Race 1:30 p.m.

Where? Vernon Center Middle School (Start located on West St., Vernon, CT 06066)

Who? Any and all are welcome! No experience required!

Why? Why not!? It’s fun, come out and give it a try! A great way to exercise in the cold harsh New England winter.

Cost? $5.00/week for the Fun-Run in which you get to try out snowshoes for free and learn some great technique.
$10.00/week for the 5k race.  You may also pre-register for the entire series at a discounted rate!

Parking is available at the school; there are plenty of parking lots on Hartford Turnpike and just off of West Street.

Registration Form Here – Registration will take place at the course near the start/finish line in the small parking lot adjacent to the soccer field.  Registration will begin at 12:00 noon each week and continue until 1:20 p.m. You may pre-register for the entire series at a discounted race online here (link coming soon).  Registration is a pay-per-week basis.  Refunds will only be given to those who pre-registered for the entire series and ONLY if we do not host five races due to weather.  For example, $50.00 to pre-register for the entire 5k series and only four races are run – you will be refunded $10.00.

Course – A course map is available here! The start and finish will both be on the soccer fields in the back of the middle school- adjacent to West Street.

Loaner snowshoes provided by Dion Snowshoes – Dion Snowshoes will provide a limited number of “loaner” shoes for participants to try during the fun-run.  Participants in the 5k will have to provide their own equipment.

Restrooms – limited restrooms will be available in the form of port-a-johns near the start/finish line.  The school will NOT be available for restrooms or any other purpose.

Inclement Weather – Simple, no snow means no race or fun run.  Approximately 4 inches of snow is required to snowshoe- if it’s not there, we will not race.   If there is a potential major storm in the vicinity and threatening we will also cancel the race for that week.  Safety on the course as well as traveling to and from the course is our number one concern.

Prizes/Awards: Prizes and awards will be based on age groups and gender. Awards will be in the form of gift-certificates from local sponsors.  Raffle prizes will also be awarded for those who participate in five or more races.