2022 Mad Trapper David McCaw Memorial Snowshoe Race

Race Report from Judy Andrew Piel via the RunK2J Race Report Form

Event Name/Date/Location: Mad Trapper David McCaw Memorial Snowshoe Race , February 26, 2022, The Ark, 285 Farrellton Rd, Denholm, QC

Synopsis: As always at the Ark this was a fun, friendly event on a beautiful course with great post race food!

The Ark is a really cool off the grid spot in the hills of Denholm. Mike and Monique are great hosts. It’s a beautiful spot. This was a new “flatter” course at the Ark. In general everything at The Ark is hilly and Flat is a relative term!

There was a 5K and a 10K. The 10K was 2 loops on the 5K course. The races here are pretty laid back. If you sign up for the 10K and decide after 5K you are done, you get switched to the 5K. If you sign up for 5K and decide it’s a lovely day you will go around again, you will be switched to the 10K. Prizes at The Ark are randomly awarded playing the “1, 2, game” so all you get for winning is fame!

There are no aid stations out on the course you are kind of on your own except for Richard McDonald, who was out on the course taking excellent photos. The finish which is also the half way point for the 10K has water.

My Race Experience: I did this race to enjoy the day, the company and the venue. The new course was really beautiful particularly when we ran on the lake. There was a lot of single track so you could only pass when the person in front let you by but everyone was happy to do that. I blew a snowshoe at one point which is always a drag! The post race brownies and chili made it all worth while!

Would you do this event again? Why? : Definitely, races at The Ark are always challenging and fun.

Would you recommend this event? Why? : Yes. The hills at The Ark make for challenging races but it’s a beautiful spot and a great group of people.

Closing thoughts. Any hints for others planning to do this race? Where to stay? Things to bring? What to wear? : Don’t underestimate the drive to The Ark. The last few km are on back roads which require snow tires and careful driving in winter. Car pool if you can.

Make sure you bring dry clothes to put on after the race. Snowshoes kick up snow. Gators are a must for the same reason. You will get warm racing so a removeable layer is useful.

Snowshoe running is much harder than regular running so don’t go out too fast! If you do not have running snowshoes you can rent them from Mike. It’s worth it. Running in regular snowshoes is really, really hard work.

Mad Trapper David McCaw Memorial Snowshoe Race RunK2J Info Card:

Venue Rating: : 5 – Monumentally Awesome
Course: 4 – Great

Weather- Sunny -20

Would you do this event again? Why? : Definitely, Races at The Ark are always challenging and fun.

Would you recommend this event? Why? : Yes. The hills at The Ark make for challenging races but it’s a beautiful spot and a great group of people.