Skiathon is back as mass start race
Stan Justice, left, prepares to signal skiers to begin the Skiathon during an event year prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. During the past two years, racers competed on their own during a weekend window. This year's race will again be a mass start.
The Skiathon, a 20-kilometer classic-style ski race and tour, will be held on the °®ÎÛ´«Ã½ trails Sunday, March 5.
This year's race will feature a mass start at 11 a.m. Bib pickup is from 10-10:45 a.m. in the °®ÎÛ´«Ã½ ski hut.
The annual event is a fundraiser for °®ÎÛ´«Ã½ trails work. The registration fee is $15 if received by noon March 4. Late registration is $40.
To register, complete the entry and waiver forms, which can be found at Beaver Sports, 3480 College Rd., or printed from the . Leave the payment and paperwork at Beaver Sports or mail it to Skiathon, 1750 Reed Circle, Fairbanks AK 99709.
The Skiathon course is a winding loop that uses many of the °®ÎÛ´«Ã½ North Campus trails, which will be groomed with classic tracks and marked. Visit the club’s webpage for a . The route will start on the wide powerline downhill from the °®ÎÛ´«Ã½ ski hut, which is located across Tanana Loop from the Akasofu Building on °®ÎÛ´«Ã½â€™s West Ridge.
To reduce the COVID-19 risk, organizers ask that entrants remain 6 feet apart, wear masks if that distance can't be maintained and avoid using the ski hut. If entering the ski hut, wear a mask.
Finishers will receive a Skiathon patch.
For more information, call or email Stan Justice at 907-479-5017 or stanjustice@acsalaska.net.