Finding great winter sporting events south of Vermont and East of the Rockies is often a needle in a haystack endeavor. Don’t get me wrong, there’s plenty to do, but rarely anything resembling a premier event. Not so when it comes to women’s snowshoe racing (and, yes, men & kids too).

We’re taking a little distraction from reviewing womens snowshoes to let you know about the 9^th Annual 2010 PowerSox United States National Snowshoe Championship because, believe it or not, you still have time to enter or cheer on your favorite racers.

Race dates for the championship are set for March 5-7, 2010 and the race will be held in Highland Forest Park in DeRuyter, New York. If you’d like to participate, the course preview, event registration and athlete check-in will be at 11am on the 5^th followed by an Athlete reception later that night. You can pre-register by mail or on race day.

And, ladies, I’m covering this event here because it really is family friendly engagement. Events include:

• Junior Boys & Girls 5km National Snowshoeing Championship
• Senior Women’s 10km National Snowshoeing Championship
• Senior Men’s 10km National Snowshoeing Championship
• Kid’s Kilo (for ages 12 and under)
• Citizen’s 5km Snowshoe run/walk
• 4 x 2.5km snowshoe team relay

The top 5 senior men and women in the 10km event and the top 3 junior boys and girls in the 5km event will make the US National Snowshoe Team but there are prizes for the amateurs among you, as well, including medals and other prizes.

If you’ve just bought your first pair of snowshoes (read my Atlas women’s snowshoes articles if you’re still thinking about it) then the 9^th Annual 2010 PowerSox United States National Snowshoe Championship would be a great place to meet fellow enthusiasts like yourself and make a few lifetime friends. If my work schedule allows it, I hope to be there myself!For more on the PowerSox championship including event schedules, directions and accommodations, visit:

http://www.snowshoeracing.com/national_championship10.htm