Skip to content

Cross-country skiers enjoyed trails at annual Hallis Lake Loppet

More than 50 attendees took to the tracks at the 2018 event
10379835_web1_copy_180131-QCO-X-country-ski-loppet_1
Mother-daughter pair Tania Gruene and Kyra Duckworth finish the 8km trek at the 2018 Hallis Lake Loppet on Jan. 27. Melanie Law photo

The annual Hallis Lake Loppet took place Saturday Jan. 27 on the cross-country ski trails, with skiiers attending from Quesnel, Wells, Prince George, Williams Lake and Hagensborg, B.C.

Around 50 skiiers age three and up registered for the event, and there were plenty of categories to enter, with younger skiiers travelling between 1km and 8km, and adults skiing between 8km and 32km.

The timed events saw all competitors take home a medal-shaped cookie.

“Although the course is timed, this event is really about getting people out on the trails, and having a good day,” comments Cariboo Ski-Touring Club’s Ron Watteyne.

Tania Gruene and her nine-year-old daughter Kyra Duckworth entered the recreational pairs category, skiing 8km.

“This was the first loppet for both of us, and it was great,” says Tania.

Kyra, who has been skiing since age two, was pleased with how it went, saying it was a fun few hours.

“The trails are in fabulous condition, and it is such a fun way to spend time together,” says Tania.

“We had a cookie and some tea along the path and just enjoyed being outside.”

Nine-year-0ld Morgan Boileau, from Hagensborg, B.C., near Bella Coola, says her family comes up for the event every year. Her dad competed in the men’s 32km race, and both her younger brothers skiied as well.

Morgan says her 5km went pretty well.

“I had a couple of crashes, but that didn’t stop me,” she comments.

The four family members each did well in their categories, with fast times for their age groups.

The mild weather drew friends and family members eager to cheer on their loved ones, and a hearty lunch was enjoyed in the lodge after all that fresh air.

Full 2018 Hallis Lake Loppet results

Five and under – 1km

Ryan Boileau, Hagensborg – 0:22:12

^

Five to seven – 2.5km

Eric Boileau, Hagensborg – 0:16:16

Abbey Mackay, Quesnel – 0:17:41

Luke Stefan, Quesnel – 0:17:48

Friday Borsato-Stobbe, Quesnel – 0:18:35

Pascale Sturt, Quesnel – 0:20:06

Keirstyn Bohme, Quesnel – 0:20:37

Elise Jonasson, Quesnel – 0:23:52

Tristan Woollends, Quesnel – 0:26:40

^

Eight to 10 – 5km

Oi Moliner Clark, Williams Lake – 0:29:10

Morgan Boileau, Hagensborg – 0:29:17

Elizabeth Puhallo, Quesnel – 0:29:23

Rome Borsato-Stobbe, Quesnel – 0:32:45

Nikolai Benson, Quesnel – 0:32:58

Carter Bohme, Quesnel – 0:35:00

Anja Sales, Quesnel – 0:35:05

Aubrey Williams, Quesnel – 0:44:31

Hunter Brown, Quesnel – 0:49:54

^

11-13 – 5km

Jake Sutton, Williams Lake – 0:31:48

Isaac Woollends, Quesnel – 0:50:35

^

14-17 – 8km

Christopher Henderson, Quesnel – 0:38:14

^

Men’s 8km

Rob Sutton, Williams Lake – 0:42:30

Allan Fleck, Quesnel – 0:53:26

Travis Brown, Quesnel

^

Women’s 8km

Jennifer Clark, Williams Lake – 0:48:35

Janelle Janischewski, Quesnel – 0:49:54

Shannon Jonasson, Quesnel – 0:53:15

^

Pairs 8km

Tania Gruene and Kyra Duckworth, Quesnel – 1:39:00

^

Men’s 16km

Nicholas Korn, Prince George – 1:16:04

Gary Gale, Quesnel – 1:18:22

Ron Watteyne, Quesnel – 1:21:40

Brian Russell, Prince George – 1:24:15

Derek Woollends, Quesnel – 1:33:13

^

Women’s 16km

Heidi Evensen, Prince George – 1:24:25

Sally Johnston, Quesnel – 1:30:26

Shannon Coffey, Quesnel – 1:31:22

Nicole Brandson, Williams Lake – 1:37:41

Lori Carifelle, Quesnel – 2:05:30

Kara Carifelle, Quesnel – 2:05:32

^

Women 18-39 – 32km

Sarah Champagne, Wells – 2:08:20

Andrea Sturt, Quesnel – 3:10:13

^

Women 40-59 – 32km

Catherine Hagen, Prince George – 2:22:05

^

Men 40-59 –32km

Alex Boileau, Hagensborg – 1:48:14

Kevin Sturt, Quesnel – 1:57:59

George Paul, Quesnel – 2:19:47

Glen Mikkelsen, Prince George – 2:39:46

Patrick Turner, Prince George

^

Women 60 and over – 32km

Lou Brisco, Quesnel – 2:39:42

^

Men 60 and over – 32km

Scott Forrest, Prince George – 1:55:15

Brian Kennelly, Quesnel – 2:49:47

10379835_web1_180131-QCO-X-country-ski-loppet_2
Siblings nine-year-old Morgan, left, three-year-old Ryan and seven-year-old Eric Boileau show off their cookie medals after the Hallis Lake Loppet on Jan. 27. The children travelled to Quesnel with their parents from Hagensborg, B.C. for the annual cross-country ski event. Melanie Law photo