With only an hour delay and a -19 C start, athletes bravely kicked off Prince George’s 32 annual Iceman competition at Otway Nordic Ski Centre this morning (Feb. 10).
The cold temperature meant the annual race began at 11 a.m. with a mass start that included all skill levels for the cross-country skiing portion of the competition.
Although organizers cautioned that it was up to each individual to decide for themselves if they felt safe to race despite the cold temperature, the starting line was never-the-less full of athletes waiting to compete in the annual event.
However, the cross-country skiing course was shortened by about a kilometre to accommodate the cold.
More than 500 athletes from all over northern B.C. ranging in ages from 10-years-old to 70-years-old competed in this years’ ultimate winter challenge.
The Iceman, of course, not only includes cross-country skiing but a 10 km run to a 5 km skate at the Outdoor Oval, and then another 5 km run to the Aquatic Centre where athletes complete a final 800 m swim
