Cariboo Marathon committee chair Nicola Maughn says the Feb. 8 race is “on track.”
Snow conditions are good and preparations are going well for the popular cross-country skiing event at 99 Mile Ski Trails in 100 Mile House.
However, organizers are looking for volunteers with snowmobiles to man an important checkpoint.
“It's called the Beanstalk Cabin. The people with sleds are the people we need. We have no way of getting them out to the cabin.
"We need them to snowmobile out to the cabin in the morning and set up. At that cabin, they serve Gatorade to the skiers going by and check bib numbers to make sure everybody passes all the checkpoints.”
“We probably need three people with sleds and three volunteers to go along behind them.”
Anyone interested can contact Maughn at 250-791-6331.
Last year, the race attracted 150 entrants. The event sees a variety of categories for ages and distances – full marathon (50 kilometres), mini marathon (30 km), juniors (20 km), recreational (20 km and 10 km), rabbits (10 km and five km).
People can register on line at zone4.ca by midnight on Feb. 6 or in person on Feb. 7 between 3 and 8 p.m. at the Nordic's Lodge.
There is no registration on race day.
“Traditionally, people register shortly before the race. They want to know what the weather conditions are going to be like... We already have inquiries from the Coast, from Logan Lake, Williams Lake – lots of people will come.”
Maughn says the race is fun for the whole family.
“It's challenging enough for racers, but easy for recreational skiers. It will be a good route, well-tracked and well-marked.
"You can ski with your child if you want to. But it's challenging enough if you're an individual and you want to race and go for it.”
Organizers have set up a work bee for Feb. 1 at 10 a.m. for some final tasks, such as setting up the stadium, the boards, the snow-fencing and marking the track.
“If anyone would like to volunteer to help move some equipment around that would be fine. They don't need anything special except warm clothes and boots and gloves.”
Maughn talks about the long history of the race and some of the different routes it took over the years. It has been cancelled in the past when conditions weren't right – in 2012 when there wasn't enough snow.
Now, skiing is perfect, she says.
“This year, we've got lots of snow. [The trails] are beautiful. Membership at the club is up. I think that's because the snow is so good. The snow came early and it stayed.”
For more information visit www.100milenordics.com.