January 22, 2004 – The Vermont State Snowshoe Championships and Nike ACG Regional Qualifier event is taking place in Essex Junction VT this Saturday, January 24/04, beginning at 1:00pm. This 5km/10km event located just outside of Burlington, VT is in a unique location. The Start/Finish lines will be right in front of the Fairgrounds huge grandstands. For those athletes interested in qualifying for the US National Snowshoe Championships in Squaw Valley, California on Sunday March 7th, 2004, the top 10 USSSA members who finish in each of the five USSSA age groups become eligible to participate at the Natls.

You can join the USSSA right at Saturday's race site registration. Juniors run the 5km event, all other age groups run the 10km event to qualify. If you are just interested in giving it a go, pick either the 5km or 10km events. You don't have to join the USSSA to participate. Only if you want to qualify for Nationals. There's awards in both events and all age groups. There will be a raffle for all participants. Tubbs will be there to provide demo loaner shoes. Registration starts at 10am. Check it out at www.cvfair.com. Contact Tom Oddy, race site director, at 802-878-5545 or toddy@cvfair.com. Or contact Mark Elmore of the USSSA at 518-643-8806, snowshoeguy@yahoo.com.

Don't miss this one. It's going to be chilly, but lots of fun. Registration and awards and changing areas are inside and well heated for your comfort! I hope to see you all there!