Dion Running Snowshoes in Runners World

Runners World Magazine just did a review of various running snowshoes.

Here is the review for Dion Running Snowshoes...

Dion Snowshoes, $250
Started by veteran snowshoe race director and masters racer Bob Dion (he's a two-time age-group national champion), this upstart Vermont company offers semi-custom snowshoes—mix and match the frame, cleat and binding options to create your optimal setup. Most racers opt for the 7 x 21-inch Model 121 racing frame ($125) because it's the smallest and narrowest deck on the market that conforms to USSSA standards. The Quick-Fit binding ($65) offers a snug hold and easy adjustments without excess straps flapping around when you run. Unless you run and race on the same type of surface all the time, picking the cleat could be the tricky part. Dion recommends the Deep Cleat ($60), stating that it works well on groomed terrain and offers solid traction in broken snow and powder. This set-up weighs just over 2.5 pounds.
dionsnowshoes.com

To read complete review, please click here.

Dion Snowshoes are available in Canada exclusively through Spafford Health and Adventure

Snowshoe Magazine Gear Review: GU Energy Gels

Nothing is worse when out on the trails for a long snowshoe hike or run than bonking.

Bonking comes as a result of running out of fuel to your working muscles by not taking in enough calories during endurance events. This can range from a simple inconvenience that makes your snowshoe outing a little less fun all the way to being downright dangerous in extreme cases if caught a long distance out on the trail in cold conditions. If your body starts shutting down and quits operating as efficiently as normal, you can also become more prone to hypothermia or frostbite by not being able to generate as much heat...

Read more>>>

Week of Jan 18-24

Training Summary:
Busy week with all the pre-snowshoe race planning and race day stuff. Not a bad week at times with some decent runs, but definitely feel like I've hit a bit of a plateau with the knee. Some days it isn't so bad, then some days it doesn't feel good at all. There seems to be no change if I run more or less, in fact, I sometimes think it feels better when running more. A little depressing when I see that the total number of hours I've run so far in the first 24 days of the year is the same as many normal weeks of training at times. Oh well, stay the course. Back to more rehab. Haven't been able to run on snowshoes much lately with the big melt now, which hasn't helped. Ended the week with a cold, which is par for the course after organizing a race.

Total # of hours this week – 4:58
Total # of hours this year – 19:13
Streak – 7,334 days of running in a row
Training Log Details

Dion Frontenac Snowshoe Race - Report and Results

(video credit: Jane Newman-Ralph)

Congratulations to everyone who took part in the Dion Frontenac Snowshoe Race held on Saturday, January 23.

Conditions were fast and the competition was fierce as 35 snowshoe runners challenged the rolling 7.3km course at Frontenac Provincial Park. The weather was perfect for snowshoe racing with sunny skies and -7C.

Former Canadian National Cross Country running team member Taylor Murphy of Napanee posted the fastest time of the day winning in a time of 31:16. Taylor was followed by ultramarathoner Keith Iskiw of Kingston in 36:40, and Justin Pozin of Toronto in 37:10. Gilles Parisien of Cornwall was the top male masters runner in 38:03.

In the women’s race, Elizabeth Primrose of Brockville won in a time of 42:24, followed by Shauna Connaughton of Kingston in 44:34, and Eliza Murphy of Sydenham in 47:27. Kim Bohn of Kanata was the top female masters runner in 49:46.

Complete results are posted at Spafford Health and Adventure

Numerous awards and draw prizes were given out with one lucky participant going home with a pair of Dion Running Snowshoes. The vegetarian chili and munchies were also a hit for tired racers looking to refuel following their hard effort.

Many thanks to our sponsors Dion Running Snowshoes, Spafford Health and Adventure, La Sportiva, 5 Peaks Trail Running Series, Running Room, Trailhead and Stonehaven. A very special thank you to all of our wonderful volunteers.

One final thanks to Frontenac Provincial Park, and staff, for permitting us to hold this race in their beautiful park. We encourage you to come back to Frontenac Park again soon and explore it further.

For more race photos, please click here.

The next race in the SHA Trail Running Series is the Kingston 5 Peaks Trail Race on May 15, 2010.

See you on the trails!

Derrick Spafford
Race Director
Dion Frontenac Snowshoe Race

Dion Frontenac Snowshoe Race - Final Course Update

(January 22, 2010) We're just back in from setting up the course for the Dion Frontenac Snowshoe Race.

Conditions will be fast for most of the route with hard packed snow. There are a few sections that feature some uneven footing between the 2 - 4 km point. You'll have to pay close attention to the trail here, but it was in that much better shape after we went over it a couple of times this afternoon. I'll be running the course first thing tomorrow morning again and that should help to smooth it out further.

On the whole though, the conditions are very good and will make for an awesome race.

Looking forward to a fun day tomorrow.

See you soon!

Derrick

Dion Frontenac Snowshoe Race - Course Conditions Update

(Jan 21/10) I just got back from a snowshoe run at Frontenac Park on the race course for this weekend’s Dion Frontenac Snowshoe Race. The course is still in excellent shape and we will be using our planned route. No snow has been lost there since last Sunday and it looks like they have even received a few cm’s of snow in addition.

The snow is quite packed down so the conditions will be pretty fast for the most part. Due to the hardening of the snow after mild conditions there are a few sections where the footing is a bit uneven, however this improved with even just me running over it the one time today. We will be running the course at least twice more before race day to pack it down and smooth it out a bit more.

There are still a few sections from the 2-4km point that have some rocks, roots and stumps to go around, but this is easily done. You will just need to be a little more careful on this section and watch your footing…especially on the downhills.

After the 4km point it is lightning fast and exceptionally good conditions. Save some energy for this section as you’ll want to be flying and will have a blast.

The final 2km will be packed down very nicely after the start of the race, so conditions will be great here as well and make for a fast finish.

If you have any questions about the race or course conditions, please post a comment below or email me directly.

Oh, just one more thing. CKWS TV in Kingston interviewed me for the race and will be airing the interview either tonight or Friday night during the news broadcast.

See you on race day!
Derrick