For the fifth year, winter athletes are invited to don ridiculous costumes and compete in the annual Jasper Winter Pentathlon at Pyramid Lake, Feb. 1.
Jasper’s first pentathlon was organized in 2010 with help from the Canadian Heritage Fund and since then, the organizers have not only kept the Jasper in January event alive, they’ve improved upon it with each passing year.
This year’s improvements include a timed obstacle course for the kids and live music at the De’d Dog in the evening. Performing, beginning at 7 p.m., will be Pascal Lecours and the Bad Characters.
“Everyone is welcome to come to the De’d Dog, but there will be drink specials for the pentathlon participants,” said organizer Caroline Roy, who started the Association Canadienne-Française de Alberta (ACFA) event with Jocelyn Nadeau.
The event includes five activities—biking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, skating and running—and is modelled after the famous Pentathlon des Neiges in Quebec City, where Nadeau is originally from.
“The idea came from Quebec, but ours is more family friendly,” said Roy. “We modified it to fit Jasper.”
Part of that modification was the introduction of costumes. Last year, teams wore everything from Angry Birds outfits to business attire and hockey jerseys.
“Every year we’re excited to see what costumes the teams come up with,” said Roy, noting that for those who compete this year, it’s best to keep in mind you’ll be doing physical activity in your outfit.
“You have to be cautious of the costume, because you have to ski or run, so you need to be able to move.”
As well as medals for the fastest team and fastest soloist, there are also medals for best team spirit and best costume. The winners of last year’s costume contest, as selected by the audience, were the Bweardos out of Edmonton. The group dressed in business suits and sported fancy facial hair, as they raced through all of the activities.
The competition begins in the Jasper Activity Centre parking lot, where the bikers begin their 5.5 km ride up Pyramid Lake Road at 11 a.m. sharp.
After the ride, there is a 5 km cross-country ski that will take skiers twice around the lake. Snowshoeing is next, with one 2.5 km sprint around the lake. Then it’s 12 laps around the oval skating rink, before heading out for a 6 km run to the stables and back.
Last year, there were five soloists who completed the entire race.
The fun event usually attracts upwards of 150 competitors. So far this year, there are teams registered from as far away as Edmonton and Vancouver.
Roy encourages teams and soloists to register in advance. That can be done by visiting Totem Ski Shop or by contacting the ACFA in Jasper at 780-852-7476 or by email at [email protected].
To learn more about the event, check out the Jasper Winter Pentathlon Hivernal Facebook page.
Nicole Veerman
[email protected]
