Team Black Jack kicked off the cross-country running season this past weekend with our annual fun run and fundraiser, the Golden City Grind. Thanks to the hard work of John Snelgrove and Shelly Ackerman of the Alpine Grind Coffee House, and countless other volunteers the race was a huge success.  This year 106 racers of all age groups came out to run on Sunday. Racers competed on one of four courses, 1km, 3km, 5km, and a new 10km course, which was a real grind. While unfortunately almost half of the junior racers were unable to race due to a cold, there was fantastic showing by the Track Attacks with most of the young athletes turning up.

Black Jack team members who raced did excellently with Chiaki and Sage coming first and second respectively in the 16-19 women’s 5km and Julien and Daniel both placing first in their categories in the men’s 10km. The Track Attack team also had a strong showing with second place results from Maya Maturo and Evan Taylor. Racers were well rewarded with coupons for free ice cream at Bear Country Kitchen and 2 for 1 drinks at the Alpine Grind. Top placing finishers also received chocolate or cookie medals kindly donated by the Mountain Nugget Chocolate Company and Sweet Dreams Cakery.

The Black Jack Race Team is extremely thankful to everyone who came out and participated as well as those who kindly volunteered their time to make this year’s race so successful. A huge thank-you goes out to all of the the race sponsors: The Alpine Grind; Gerick Sports; Ferraro Foods;  Sweet Dreams Cakery; Mountain Nugget Chocolate Company; and Bear Country Kitchen. Events like these are crucial to keeping Cross-country skiing alive in Rossland and we hope to see everyone again next year.

~ Bronwyn