Lake Louise to Banff Loppet

Charlotte at Morant’s Curve. Can you see the trailn coming?

Results have been posted

Update Jan 26: Article in the Rocky Mountain Outlook

The trail conditions this year may have been a challenge, but today’s weather was perfect for the LL to Banff loppet. It was pretty much a blue wax day for the whole distance.

The winning team of Kathy Davies, Maria Hawkins, and Mary Young.

The air and snow temperature at 9 a.m. at Lake Louise was -12°C with no wind. At 1 pm at Sawback it was -6. There was a skiff of new snow overnight, so the leaders had to work a bit harder.

Staring line on Lake Louise at 9 a.m.

Congratulations to the Women’s Team of Haggis and Herring (Team WE) made up Kathy Davies, Maria Hawkins, and Mary Young who were the overall winners. Their time was 3:19:03 and second place went to the Break Boys (Team MB) with a time of 3:19:35.

MB started the race with a six-minute lead after two legs. WE passed them on Leg 3 and started the final leg with a five-minute lead. MB closed the gap to 32 seconds but eventually ran out of snow and settled for second.

Arriving at the Corral Creek turn-off, about 11k into the race.

The fastest individual was Karen Messenger, dressed as a mermaid, with a time of 3:27:28.

You can see all the results here.

This year’s race was shortened to 50K so keep that in mind when comparing results to years when it is 71K. Lots of neat costumes worn by racers and creative names for teams. I think my favourite this year was 3 Sisters.

Thank you to everyone who worked to make this race happen.