14th Annual Rangeley Lakes Loppet a great success

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Racers at the start of the 25K Burt Kettle Klassic. (Photo by George Adams)

RANGELEY – The 14th Annual TD Bank Rangeley Lakes Loppet took place at the Rangeley Lakes Trails Center on Saturday, March 5. Over 200 racers took part in this traditional Nordic marathon, in classic or skate form for 25 or 50km. The Loppet is part of the NENSA (New England Nordic Ski Association) marathon series whose major sponsors are TD Bank and L.L. Bean.

Everyone’s eyes were watching the sky on Saturday worried about the weather but the rain held off til the last participant had crossed the finish line. The snow conditions were great and the grooming crew, Beth Flynn and Rylan Mims, put the course into superb shape for the race.

The first race, the 25k Burt Kettle Klassic, started off at 8:45 a.m. with 21 participants. They got a good head start before the 169 freestyle (skate) racers took off from the starting gate at 9:45 a.m. to complete the 25K and 50K course. Shortly after all the racers were on the trails, the folks in the Touring Division got their start at 10 a.m. They enjoyed the course, the refreshments, and the camaraderie but at their own pace for this non-timed division. Along the 25k loop course there are three refreshment stations all manned by volunteers who have skied out to these locations prior to the start of the race. They hand out energy drink, water, cookies, and fruit to the racers as they speed by on the course.

The Kettle family races together. L to R, Jennifer, Burt, Nancy. The 25K classic style race is named in honor of Burt Kettle, a very generous and long-time member of the Rangeley Lakes XC Ski Club. (Photo by George Adams)

Meanwhile, under the Big Top tent, volunteer crews were busy getting the soups heated up, putting the sausages on the simmer, organizing the cookie table, and the prize table in preparation for the racers’ return. The post-race feed here at the Loppet is legendary, as are the great prizes! Rangeley and Oquossoc restaurants, eateries, retail establishments, and lots of regular folks generously donate to this event. This year over 30 gallons of soups, chowders, and chilis (donations), 200 sausages (with peppers and onions and buns), 45 square feet of cookies (donations), and 240 bottles of water (donated by Poland Spring), 25 pots of Carrabasset Coffee, and 20+ gallons of Heed® energy drink were consumed. Many thanks to all those people behind the scenes who chopped, sautéed, simmered, stirred and baked all this wonderful food. Every steaming, tasty bite was much appreciated.

The prize table was piled high with goodies gleaned from retail inventories both local and around the country. Skadi Nordic of Washington state donated all of the award “medals” this year in the form of high-tech ski scrapers made from 100% recycled plastic, custom imprinted with the RLXC Ski Club logo and the event title. Thank you, Skadi! Every participant is eligible to pick from the prize table after the awards are bestowed upon the winners. A random drawing “raffle” guarantees that no one walks away empty-handed. And we know they didn’t go away hungry.

If you haven’t experienced the Loppet, stay tuned for next year. Always the first Saturday in March–it will be the 15th year for this event and it’s bound to be a big one! Ski it, tour it, or volunteer to help with it. Any which way you choose, it’s a great day on the snow in Rangeley.

For more information about the Rangeley Lakes Cross Country Ski Club and the Rangeley Lakes Trails Center, go to www.xcskirangeley.com and follow us on Facebook.

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