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Jump-start the new year of fitness

Shauna Farnell
Racers leap off a ledge in last year's Paddy's Pedal Power snowshoe race in Eagle-Vail. This year's race kicks off at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Eagle-Vail Pavilion.
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Paddy’s 10K/5K snowshoe raceWhat: 10-kilometer and 5K snowshoe races open to all abilities of snowshoersWhen: 10 a.m. SaturdayWhere: Eagle-Vail Pavilion in Eagle-Vail

Information: Pre-registration is $15 and race-day registration is $20. Proceeds benefit local charities and the fee includes refreshments and a meal after the race.Registration can be done Pedal Power in Eagle-Vail or forms can be downloaded at http://www.pedalpower.com. For more information, call 970-845-0931.EAGLE-VAIL – There’s one sure-fire way to keep that New Year’s resolution to improve your fitness.The Pedal Power Snowshoe Adventure Series is launching racers and recreationists into their fitness goals early on Saturday with the third event of the series in Eagle-Vail.

The Paddy’s Eagle-Vail event will feature 10-kilometer and 5K courses. The races are open to everyone from elite snowshoe racers to hikers and walkers. “It’s a good idea for people if they want to finish their year on a good note or start their year on a good note,” said Pedal Power’s Bruce Kelly, who started the snowshoe series 10 years ago and continues the tradition of setting courses that take participants off the beaten path.”We encourage walkers and hikers to come out and try it,” Kelly said. “Don’t be intimidated by the competitive people. You get a good workout in and go places you’ve never gone in snowshoes. A lot of people who snowshoe never get off the trail. You may never do it on your own. In this organized race situation, people can do that and not be intimidated.”Last year’s Eagle-Vail race saw competitors leaping off a retaining wall and wading through a powder field before disappearing into the woods. While Saturday’s course will be similar, Kelly tries to deviate it a bit every year.”We like technical snowshoeing,” Kelly said. “We’ll have some nice steep climbs, some fun descents. We hope it’s dumping because that makes it even more adventurous. I always change the course. We have a pretty strong core group. They’ve been doing it since its inception, so I like to give them something a little different.”



Proceeds from all Pedal Power snowshoe races benefit local charities. This season’s races will benefit the Cancer Clearing House, which is being built across from the Shaw Regional Cancer Center in Edwards.”It’s such a good way for us to do something that we like doing and give back to the community,” Kelly said. “In the past we’ve helped just one individual who needed help, and then a lot of different groups. This way, you as an individual can do this race and do something you’ve probably never done before and also know that at least $10 of your entry fee will go to help some charity.”The Pedal Power Snowshoe series continues Jan. 21 with the Pazzo’s Colorado National Championship and wraps up with Billy Island Grill’s night event March 5. Sports Writer Shauna Farnell can be reached at 949-0555, ext.14632, or sfarnell@vaildaily.com.Vail, Colorado


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