For the first time in recent history, a local woman has won the Cariboo Gold Rush Marathon women's division 50-kilometre event.
The annual race, hosted by the 100 Mile Nordics Society, was held at the 99 Mile Ski Trails on Feb. 9.
Tracy Moore, 45, of 108 Mile Ranch turned in a winning time of 4:22:04.0 and Tony Fiala, 47, of Prince George was the men's division winner with a time of 3:34:35.0. Each won a cash prize of $250 to go along with the bragging rights.
Second and third place in the 50-km women's race went to Lila Roy and Andrea Sturt, respectively, and both are from Vancouver. The men's second-place winner was Geoffrey Wastenays of Vancouver, and Scott Forrest of Prince George crossed the line in third.
The 30-km women's event saw Tracy-Kim Campbell of Vancouver take the victory, with former 108 Mile Ranch resident Carol Campbell finishing in second place, and Lauren Bock of Mile 108 Ranch in third.
The men's 30-km race saw a clean sweep by local skiers, with Kevin Christenson of 100 Mile House first, followed by Paul Luft of Mile 108 Ranch and Brad Summers of 100 Mile.
The fastest junior female in the 20-km race was Hanna Thomson of Revelstoke and the fastest male was Ryan Bock of Mile 108 Ranch.
Camille Barton of 100 Mile was first to cross the finish line in the Female 13 and Under 10-km race and her twin brother, Lucas, won the boys' event.
The marathon made a first-class comeback after being cancelled in 2012 due to poor snow conditions. This year, the trails had ample snow and the weather was sunny, adding up to a nearly perfect event, says marathon chairperson Nicola Maughn.
"The weather was on our side and the skiing was good. The snow was just a little bit challenging and sticky in a few places."
Registration totalled 150, which Maughn says she's very happy with. She estimates the breakdown to to have been about 60 per cent local skiers and 40 per cent coming from other centres, including Prince George, Revelstoke, Kamloops and a busload of 34 from Vancouver.
She adds that race feedback was good.
"We heard lots of really positive comments from people. They especially liked the dance. We're one of the few events that puts on a dance following the race."
Maughn notes racers raved about the chili and bannock, which was served at the finish line by the 100 Mile Lions Club. Canim Lake Band residents supplied 400 pieces of homemade bannock for the lunch.
The marathon was a family event with people of all ages participating. The youngest was four-year-old Jesse Richter who skied with his grandfather, Ted Peterson, of Horse Lake. The oldest was 77-year-old Wolfgang Hauser of Burnaby who completed the 30-km distance.
Janet Wright of Mile 108 Ranch turns 74 in March and this was the 24th time she has skied the 50-km distance in the Cariboo Marathon. She was the only one to finish in the Female Over 70 division.
Maughn says if there was a marathon award for best parent it would have gone to Ken MacKenzie of 108 Mile Ranch. He skied the 10-km course with his six-year-old son, William, by his side and four-year-old daughter, Georgia, who he towed along with a tether cord.
Maughn says plans are already underway for next year's marathon, which will take place on the first Saturday in February.