We’re pleased to announce that registration is open for Super Frosty Loomis, FLRC’s annual 5K and 10K snowshoe race at Hammond Hill on Saturday, February 7. The race will follow its traditional route up and around the forest, and with fresh snow currently falling, conditions are shaping up beautifully for a true snowshoe race. Don’t miss your chance to snag a bright orange Frosty Loomis hat, available in limited quantities for purchase during registration.
This race is a great opportunity for snowshoe-running newbies to get their toes cold and try the sport! If you don’t have your own snowshoes, you can rent a pair for the race when you register online. A limited number of Dion racing snowshoes are available for $10 a pair during registration.
The race is limited to 45 runners, and there will be a waitlist. The limitation is due to parking space, so please sign up to carpool. Not only is carpooling good for the environment and a great way to meet friends, but it also helps more people enjoy our race. Super Frosty Loomis takes place at the wonderful Hammond Hill State Forest, which is well-known for amazing trails and ample snowfall. What Hammond Hill is not known for is plentiful parking. The snow we so gladly welcome for our race also squeezes the parking lot smaller, and many of the roads and shoulders are shared with snowmobiles, limiting where we can put cars. As such, by agreeing to carpool, you are opening a space to allow more runners off the waitlist. So please find a friend and help us bring as many people to this year’s race as possible!
A port-o-john will be available at the parking lot, but there is no running water or changing facilities. We plan to have the small warming hut open.
Dressing for snowshoe racing can be tricky because you will generate a lot of heat, particularly with the initial uphill in the Loomis course. However, with the predicted cold temperatures and wind chill on race morning, you’ll want to err on the side of caution and overdress with multiple layers. If you get hot while running, you can open a coat or remove a layer.
Personally, I’d recommend:
Feet: Wool socks are best for warmth retention if your shoes get wet from snow melt. There are neoprene foot covers for more warmth, but few people have them. Trail-shoe gaiters might be welcome if you have them. Those who have issues with foot circulation might consider the HotHands-style disposable toe warmers, but it’s important not to make shoes too tight or that will reduce circulation. If you’re new to snowshoeing, some padding in your socks over the inside of your ankle bones will help if you accidentally kick yourself with the snowshoes.
Legs: Running tights under a pair of wind pants. Wool tights like those from Icebreaker would also be a good bottom layer, but you want something windproof on the outside if possible. If you don’t have wind pants, wear two layers of tights.
Torso: Long-sleeved tech fabric T-shirt to wick sweat away, another long-sleeved wool or tech-fabric T-shirt or polar fleece, and a wind-proof running jacket.
Hands: This depends on how easily your hands get cold and how quickly they warm up. The best combination might be light running gloves inside warm mittens. That way, you can take the mittens off and stuff them in your waistband if your hands get too hot. If you have cold hands or suffer from Raynaud’s, a pair of HotHands-style disposable hand warmers would be a smart addition.
Head: You’ll definitely want a hat to keep your head warm (duh), but I’d also recommend a headband or ear muffs to make sure your ears stay warm if your hat rides up and a buff to keep around your neck in case you want to pull it up over your nose or chin. Sunglasses (perhaps with clear lenses if it’s not sunny) will help protect your eyes from watering in the cold, though they may fog up with the buff over your nose.
Finally, you’ll want to wear at least a warm winter jacket over everything else before the race so you can stay warm until you start running. An old blanket might also work well. Snow pants would be welcome but are impossible to remove once you have snowshoes on. You can drop things in your car right before the start, leave them with a spectator, or bring a waterproof bag to hold them.
