Recap provided by DJ Baumert:
The Great Caribou Bog Classic Ski race took place on Sunday Feb. 5Th, 2023 in Orono, Maine. This is the first year this race has been part of the NENSA Marathon Series. 10K, 21K, and 33K distance options were offered. A total of 40 racers completed one of the race distances. Despite the very challenging weather conditions just prior to the race, the groomers did a great job at the last minute to make a quality race course. This race was the first event to take place at the new Caribou Bog Outdoor Center that is associated with the 4 seasonal trail system used for the race. The Great Caribou Bog Classic Ski Race is an iconic local citizen race that started in 1980s and was brought back 4 years ago after not being held for nearly 10 years.
The male female winners of the three race distances are:
10K – male; Kyle McCellan, female; Ruth White (note: Ruth White was first overall!)
21K – male; Tyson Weems, female; Joelle Zuhke
33K – male; Gregg Harkay, female; Kate Locke
The awards for the first male and female finishers for each race were made from hemlock pilings that were used for an elevated trestle on a historic railroad grade that is now part of the Caribou Bog trail system. Some of these pilings were pulled out this past summer as part of a trail improvement project. These pilings were from hemlock that are estimated to have started growing in the early 1700s.
