The following article was written by Laura Clark and features the 2024 Cock-A-Doodle-Shoe snowshoe event. Clark is a trail runner, snowshoer and children’s librarian based in Saratoga Springs, NY. Cover photo courtesy Gordon Douglas.
Seasoned snowshoe racers know that while a competition may be posted, it is never a given. We are always cautioned to check websites for latest snow conditions, especially now with our erratic weather patterns. But since its inception in 2013, the race at New Land Trust in Saranac, New York can be relied upon for producing stunning snow conditions and crisp weather, ranging from this year’s 27 degrees to below zero temperatures. In fact, on the race website, race director Jeremy Drowne, confirms that, “We will not cancel due to cold weather or heavy snowfall.” This includes the blizzard of several years ago where folks were negotiating the registration access road via snowmobile. While that is a bit extreme, it shows how serious these guys are.
For our January 14, 2024 edition, the weather guessers threatened moderately cold temperatures enhanced by blinding snow squalls. While some folks dropped, most shrugged their shoulders and plunged ahead to accept the Adirondack challenge, leaving us with an enthusiastic group of 60+ ‘shoers. Coming from Saratoga Springs, Matt Miczek and I had extra motivation as we were charged with delivering the Dion loaners. As an aside, I can remember way back to the time when a larger event might require 20 or more pairs. Now, most folks seem to have their own, which attests to the popularity of this sport.
Pre-race meeting at this year’s Cock-A-Doodle-Shoe. Photo: Gordon Douglas
The route has changed on multiple occasions, seemingly in an attempt to find the perfect fit, and this time, the goal was met with a 5K mix of single and double track, repeated once more for the 10K. I was grateful I was wearing Dions, as some of the single track proved to be of the Northeast narrow gauge variety. There were multiple viewing spots for those spectators who could tear themselves away from the indoor stove or the outdoor fire pit. Varying from flat to rolling, the route should have been easy. Except it wasn’t, especially for the 10Kers. On a hillier course, the climbs would give you a hiking break. I ran the entire 5K not really needing such a reprieve, with the exception of the hands-and-knees ascent at the end, but by the extra loop, hills mysteriously appeared and I did a lot more walking.
On course at Cock-A-Doodle-Shoe. Photo: Gordon Douglas
A more imaginative description would be to refer to the track as a maze, which had Drowne and his crew meeting the challenge of intersecting trails with closely spaced pink flags to signal straightaways and green to indicate turns. Sections where you met yourself going and coming were cordoned off by long stretches of pink ribbon. It was definitely weird to see folks flying past you from four different directions! Initially, I had thought the traffic would have been a problem, but I only had two runners overtake me halfway and a few more at the end.
Afterwards, we were all give a rooster patch and a gift certificate to the Farmhouse Pantry, a from-scratch café, bakery and organic and local foods store. If you have never experienced Canadian poutine (French fries with gravy and cheese), this is the place to visit! So come join us next year. Seriously, as a former host of the 2018 North American Snowshoe Championship, there are strong rumors that bidding for Nationals is in the works!
Enjoying the snow at a past Cock-A-Doodle-Shoe event. Photo courtesy: Jeremy Drowne
Editor’s Note: Enjoy Clark’s articles from the 2022 Cock-A-Doodle-Shoe and 2021 Cock-A-Doodle-Shoe.
