On the afternoon of February 5th, 2016, Lake Calhoun was the site of the Loppet’s 25k speedskating event. The day began at about four degrees, but steadily warmed to a comfortable mid-twenties with a modest breeze and occasional flurries. Among the few dozen skaters to partake were many familiar faces including Randy Landucci, Ken Huss, Dave Montgomery, Brandon Molenda, Rebekah Dyrud, a German team skater, and members of the Midway and Twin Cities Speedskating Clubs. I even recognized a few familiar faces from ye ole Metrodome. But the fastest skater on the 1k oval of rough ice was Isaac Harker. His father credited his summers spent inlining on rough, uneven, and rugged pavement for preparing him for success on the awkward and choppy lake ice.
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A few skaters appeared to begin quickly and then realized how greatly the conditions differed from the oval. The skaters that appeared most comfortable were on marathon skates – a nordic ski boot with an extended and wider blade attached. When I saw the condition of the ice I was glad I hadn’t signed up. Many skaters opted to complete only a few laps and then pulled out. The narrow skating lane made for the occasional traffic jam.
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Results have not been posted – click here to see if they have been updated.
Click here for the photo gallery.
The 50k event is February 6th.
MN Masters Speedskating 