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Memory Marathon full of nostalgia

The 108 Memory Marathon participation list may have been small in numbers, but it was big in fun and nostalgia
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Peter Castonguay was voted best dressed in his retro 1970s ski outfit.

The 108 Memory Marathon participation list may have been small in numbers, but it was big in fun and nostalgia.

The 20-kilometre cross-country ski event was hosted Feb. 4 by The Hills Health Ranch, as an alternative to the cancelled Cariboo Gold Rush Marathon, which was originally scheduled to run the same day at 99 Mile.

The marathon attracted six skiers, three skijor teams and one sled-dog team. The event was run on sun-drenched trails in good snow conditions. The route they used was part of the original Cariboo Marathon trail.

Gunnar Rasmussen, who lives in Burnaby but once ran a local ski shop and was a familiar face at the early Cariboo Marathons, returned to hold a waxing clinic prior to the event.

Hills operations manager Len Doucette says Rasmussen raced in the event, and commented that it was one of the best skis he's had.

Peter Castonguay, dressed in a circa 1970 ski outfit, won an award for being the best dressed and everyone who participated was awarded a bottle of wine.

"We'll do it again next year for sure," says Doucette.

Participants in order of finish were, Dennis Wick, Rasmussen, Kristie Iverson, Janet Wright and Castonguay. Neil Endacott completed a half marathon.