Training class prepares racers for Glacier Challenge

by Heidi Desch / Whitefish Pilot
| May 25, 2011 10:16 AM

One day. Six legs. 50 miles.

It’s the Glacier Challenge, a

multi-sport relay race, and it comes to Whitefish July 9.

In its ninth year, the race includes 50

miles of running, kayaking, road biking, mountain biking and

canoeing. Riverside Park is the starting line, finish line and

post-race award spot. A pre-race meeting is at 7 a.m. at the

starting line and the race begins at 7:30 a.m.

The race serves as a fundraiser for the

Flathead Youth Home, a program of youth homes that serves more than

200 children a day through group homes, shelter care, foster care

and adoption family-based services and a wilderness treatment

program. One hundred percent of funds raised during the races go

directly to caring for kids.

The six-leg relay consists of a 10.8K

and 4.08 K run, a 3.2K kayak and 10.2K canoe races, two road bike

legs totaling 22.76 miles and an eight-mile canoe race.

The Glacier Challenge has a number of

new features for this year’s race.

To prepare for the race, The Wave is

holding a Glacier Challenge training class. The conditioning and

preparation program began May 16 and is accepting late sign ups

through June 6.

Race organizer Hannah Plumb said the

class is tailored for those wanting to compete in the

challenge.

“They came to us and asked if they

could to put on classes,” she said. “I love that The Wave has

gotten connected in to the race.”

The class meets twice per week for

strength training, cardiovascular vascular training, endurance

training, core training and flexibility exercises all focused on

preparation for the Glacier Challenge. The class also includes the

opportunity to go in the field and preview the individual legs of

the course.

Also new this year, chip timing will be

used to keep track of team times. Athletes wear a small,

lightweight chip that electronically records times. For the racer,

this means more accurate times posted more quickly.

“In the past we’ve used hand-held stop

watches and wrote down numbers, but that can have human error and

it was problematic as we added racers,” she said. “We realized we

needed to step it up.”

Nomad Technologies will have its mobile

command vehicle at Riverside Park, where race times will be

displayed on a plasma screen.

Teams racing competitively — seeking

first, second or third place — will have a more level playing field

with a male-female ratio requirement. Teams with three members must

have one woman, four- and five-member teams both need two women,

six-member teams must have three women and seven-members need four

woman. Teams who are not looking to place may have any ratio of men

and women.

Flying Fish Kids’ Gym will have a kids’

obstacle course at Riverside Park during the race.

A pre-race party from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Friday at Riverside Park will give athletes the chance to get racer

packets. Questions about the race will be answered. Competitive

Timing will give a quick explanation on how to use the chip timing

bands. The night includes live music and a buffet table with food

from Qdoba Mexican Grill and beer. The buffet costs $10 per

person.

Deadline to enter the race is Friday,

June 24. Late registration is taken until July 7 and cost an

additional $20.

The race fee is $250 per team, $350 for

a corporate team, $125 per couple/partner and $ 75 per solo

racer.

Racers are being encouraged to

fundraise for their entry fee by asking friends, family and

co-workers to support their participation.

Entry forms, race information, maps and

a description of each leg are available by visiting