Snowshoe Running 101 instructor Whitney Spivey participated in the 2014 women’s 10K national championship snowshoe race in Bennington, Vermont.  Spivey, in the pink headband in the middle, placed eighth in this race. Photo by Jennifer Jackson

UNM-LA NEWS

Through UNM-Los Alamos (UNM-LA) Community Education, former U.S. National Snowshoe Racing Team member Whitney Spivey will host a snowshoe running clinic on March 7, from 1-3 p.m. The two-hour course will begin at UNM-LA with a 20-minute discussion about the sport. The participants will drive to the Pajarito Mountain parking lot for an outing on the Canada Bonita trail.

The outdoor portion of the class will be oriented towards participants who are comfortable getting their heart rates up at high altitude, but will be paced to participants’ abilities. Those who are interested in learning more about the sport, but not ready to try snowshoe running, are welcome to hike the trail.

Class participants will consider snowshoe running, technique, strategy and gear. Spivey will also discuss the U.S. Snowshoe Racing Association and various running events in Northern New Mexico.

Those planning to snowshoe should bring their own snowshoes, dress warmly in layers of athletic gear and bring water. Waterproof trail running shoes are recommended. Spivey will have running-specific snowshoe demos which may be tried during portions of the trail.

The registration fee for Snowshoe Running 101 is $25. Register online at losalamos.unm.edu/community-education in the Outdoor Recreation section.

UNM-Los Alamos is an innovative, rigorous, and affordable comprehensive branch community college that provides foundations for transfer, leading-edge career programs, and lifelong learning opportunities. More information about UNM-LA is available at losalamos.unm.edu.