On Saturday nine of us departed Canton for Climb to the Castle-- An annual roller ski race that takes racers up the backside of Whiteface Mtn. via the toll road in Wilmington, N.Y. We left Canton at 5:30 a.m. in order to allow for a warmup before the 8:00 a.m. (women) and 8:10 a.m. (men) start times. When we left it was raining, making the potential for a soggy ski seem real. Luckily, the rain stopped, and held off for the entire race.
Women started first at 8:00 a.m. Erin Perryman (13) and Lizzy Landry (21) duked it out with with members of the U.S. Ski Team and other top athletes from around the country. (Terko Photo)
Climb to the Castle provides a great opportunity for junior and collegiate skiers alike to battle it out with some of the best in the country in a low-stakes 'fun' race. Climb to the Castle marks the end of a camp held by the US Ski Team. As a result, many of the top skiers are present from current World Cup athletes like Tim Burke and Liz Stephen to club powerhouses like Ben Lustgarten and Caitlin Gregg.
The men started shortly after the women.
Austin Meng (65) and Kyle Curry (63) chase down B. Lustgarden (67) and C. Smith. (NNF Photo)
There has been talk that the Toll Rd. had been getting a facelift, including fresh pavement, over the summer. Many of us were expecting new pavement from top to bottom.
(Barb Beall photo)
However, that was not the case. By Saturday's race only a few portions had been capped with new pavement. Those sections that were recently paved were as good as they get for roller skiing- The dry-land equivalent of fresh tracks on an extra blue day!
(Barb Beall photo)
Towards the top of the course the wind picked up and summit was concealed in a dense fog / mist. For the last few hundred meters of the race visibility was only a few feet.
The group together at the finish. (Barb Beall photo)
Highlights of the day included Coach Adam and Kyle both finding a way into their respective age group podiums.
Adam and the rest of the SR podium: L-R Adam, Simi Hamilton and Leif Nordgren (Barb Beall photo)
Kyle and the U23 podium: L-R Kyle, Ben Saxton and Ben Lustgarten (Barb Beall photo)
Both men's and women's results can be found here.
On the way back to school the traditional post-race stop at the Lake View Deli in Saranac Lake, N.Y. is always welcome.
Phil, Calvin, Austin, and Erin decide what to order at the Lake View Deli.
The race was pretty taxing. Those not driving took advantage to the hour+ drive back to campus to get some sleep.
Freshman Isaac W. and Drew H. down for the count on the way back to school.
Sunday consisted of an easy 2.5 hr trail run for both the men and women. We ran the Stone Valley and Ledges trail systems along the majestic Raquette River.
Heading out onto the trail
The mighty Raquette River
Will and Calvin check out the river.
Winding our way through the pine forests.
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