At the west end of Parking Lot 5 where the Morrisey Express and Orient chairlifts connect east of the village, an inflatable tyrannosaurus rex skier tiptoed to put the finishing touches on the prize table and welcome participants competing in the third annual Team Relay Experience (T-REX) Saturday, March 7.
This year’s event hosted 108 skiers, the highest turnout since the relay began. There were 45 adults and 63 children registered at the event, participating as either solo competitors or relay teams.
“Cross country skiing tends to be a little bit of a solitary sport sometimes, so my goal for the event was to bring people together to meet fellow skiers that they might not otherwise meet,” said Ivor McMahen, Sun Peaks Nordic Club’s (SPNC) president and event organizer.
“People hang out in the start and stop portion of the race, so it becomes a bit of a social affair.”
The race is a three-hour timed event, allowing skiers of all levels to complete as many laps as they want using either skate or classic techniques. The adult course is 6.1 kilometres long, while the course for children is only 1.3 kilometres long.
The format was inspired by MaMahen’s racing experiences, where faster skiers often waited while recreational participants finished later on the trails.
“We designed a format where nobody has to stand around in the cold,” he explained. “I’m proud that our format attracts the full range of ages and skiing abilities.”
With two lengths, the race is adult and kid friendly for children like eight-year-old John Kosciuw, who completed the relay for the first time wearing a banana suit over his ski-suit.
“I got a lot of laps in,” he said. “I did one big lap, which counts as five, and I did eight-or-nine small laps. The big lap is probably the hardest because a lot of it is uphill and I didn’t get snacks.”
He was eager to claim a T-REX trophy, while waiting with friends and family for the results to be confirmed.
Since the event began in 2024, McMahen has collaborated with volunteer and vice principal of Westsyde Secondary School, Chris Spanis to select a student drawing of a tyrannosaurus rex for the trophy. This year’s design was created by Grade 8 student Aiden Lafond.
“It’s a neat opportunity for students to design something and get some real world application skills where they could make something for a real event, a souvenir for people to take home,” Spanis explained. “… the dinosaur became the unofficial mascot of the event, so every year I ask a student if they’re interested in designing, iterating and 3D printing the trophy. It’s something the kids ask about all winter long.”
The club provides the winner with a small honorarium for the student designer and covers the cost of printing the trophies.
“The past few years have been really successful,” McMahen said. “People really enjoy it and consider it memorable, and we’re just trying to replicate that vibe.”
Countdown brings skiers and spectators together
The relay concluded with a collective countdown shouted from spectators on the sidelines to warn lagging participants of the three-hour time constraints of the relay, chanting from 10 seconds as skiers rushed to finish their final laps.
Participants gathered around the prize tent to hear the results, claim their prizes and finish up their day on the Nordic trails.
“I think it’s really hard, but it’s really fun,” participant Lexie Spanis said after completing the relay for the first time with her friend, Sophia Michaud, in pink tutus.
“We wanted to have the best costumes,” Michaud said with a chuckle.
Erik Green and his nine-year-old son Cohen also participated in the relay.
Cohen said it was fun going with his dad after his first season in the jackrabbits program, which is now known as the Skills Development program overseen by Nordiq Canada and Cross Country BC.
“He completed five laps, so he did really good,” Green said. “It’s a nice way to spend time as a family, and it’s a good way to try something new.”
Relay results
Jamie Skinner completed seven laps on the 6.1 kilometres leg of the relay, claiming first prize for solo men over 50. Shannon Hansford completed five laps which resulted in first prize for solo female over 50.
The solo men’s category under 50 was claimed by Souryan Dubois while the solo women’s category under 50 was taken by Shauna Tsuchiya.
The 100+ category refers to the combined age of a pair or team, meaning if both skiers are over 50, then they’re in the 100+ category.
Jason Bourgeois and James Baughan won first place for the men’s division over 100+. Naomi Smith and Ann Carter won first prize for women’s relay team under 100+.
Tom Wallace and Anise Barton brought home a prize for the best co-ed team over 100+.
Johan Campsall and Henry Buchanan claimed first prize for the men’s team under 100.
Katherine Johnston and Laura Johnston won the women’s first place for the female team under 100.
David Ross and Lisa Johannesen claimed first prize for co-ed under 100+ event.
The club does not publish children’s results in keeping with Nordic youth sport guidelines.
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