On Sat. Feb. 19, 11 members of the Cariboo Ski Touring Club participated in the Cariboo Gold Rush Marathon held in 100 Mile House.
Brian Black and Sally Johnston finished ahead of the pack in their respective races and both won gold in the 50-km Classic event.
“It was a tough race,” Black, who outpaced six other skiers, said.
Despite his first-place finish, Black had kudos for others who participated.
“The great thing about this event is that no matter how well you do there are always others who have done much better.
“For example, a 72-year-old lady completed the 50-km race,” he said.
Also participating in various categories of the 50-km race were Lou Brisco, who finished third, Jody Hunter of Wells took a fourth place, Peter van Leusden hit the finish line in fifth place, Joe Heath had a seventh-place finish and Mike von Hahn took eighth.
In the 30-km race, Sunshine Borsato skied to second place, Victor Stobbe finished in third place and Ron Watteyne finished fifth.
Elaine Watteyne placed third in the 20-km recreational division.
Although Borsato, who began cross-country skiing at the age of five, was pleased with her result, she said there was more to participating in the event.
“You don’t often have the opportunity to spend the day skiing together [with husband Victor Stobbe] with snacks and water provided every five kms,” Borsato said.
“Events like this and our local loppet don’t need to be about competition and winning, just enjoying skiing.
“Medalling was just a bonus!”
In addition to the length of the course, several factors made the course more difficult.
The temperature hovered around the 1 to 2 degree mark, which made waxing decisions difficult, Watteyne said.
Although the course was in great condition, changes to the layout of the course also added to the degree of difficulty, Watteyne added.
The change in layout, the elimination of an initial 10-km loop that was all downhill, increased the time it took to complete the course and had many skiers huffing and puffing at the finish line.
“Those last few kilometres are always the toughest,” Borsato said.
Black agreed.
“Endurance is the key and the ability to keep pushing despite the pain,” he said.