Unseasonably warm winter weather wrecked havoc on two of the South Cariboo’s major annual winter sporting events in 2012.
Both the Cariboo Gold Rush cross-country ski marathon at the 100 Mile Nordic Ski Society trails at 99 Mile and the Cariboo Challenge Jack Gawthorn Memorial Sled Dog Race at the 108 Heritage Site had to be cancelled because there wasn’t enough snow to hold the events.
The first to go down was the sled dog race, which was scheduled for Jan. 13-15 at the 108 Heritage Site.
Similar warm weather and the resulting lack of snow across Western Canada had already forced the cancellation of several other major races, leaving large gaps in the race circuit.
Late snowfall in most areas also delayed the start of winter training and conditioning for many sled dogs.
Although an alternate race venue was found in the South Cariboo, the circuit gaps (due to event cancellations) made it uneconomical for many mushers to travel to the area, so poor registration landed the final blow.
Hopes held out for snow conditions to improve for the Cariboo Gold Rush marathon, scheduled for Feb. 4 at the 99 Mile ski trails, but snow on the race course was only marginal when a decision to cancel had to be made.
Rather than risk running a poor race that would disappoint skiers and potentially turn them off from returning for future marathons, it was decided to cancel.
Ironically, the trails did receive more snow by the originally planned race day, but organizers stuck with their decision.
The marathon was expected to see approximately 200 skiers race for the gold.
For both events, 2013 is shaping up to be a stellar year, with plenty of snow on the trails and temperatures in the range of normal for winter months in the South Cariboo.
It is looking particularly good for the sled dog races, as Taseko Mines Ltd. has come on board as a major sponsor, putting up $5,000 in cash. The races take place Jan. 12-13 at the 108 Heritage Site with categories and prizes for four-, six- and 10-dog races, a junior class, skijoring race and a dog weight-pull. The expected purse is between $6,000 and $10,000.
Cariboo Marathon will be held Feb. 9 at the 100 Mile Nordics 99 Mile Ski Area, with a mass start at 9 a.m. and dance and awards presentations at 7 p.m. that same evening at 100 Mile Community Hall.
