Masters Long Track Racing
Masters Long Track Racing Opportunities
- Events
For Minnesota masters long track skaters who are interested in racing, there are a variety of opportunities. The most low-key, and the best place to start for those new to racing, is the Saturday morning metric/pack style racing at the John Rose Oval. Typically several different distances will be offered each week. For more information on the Saturday races, contact Kaari Cox at jeklcox@gmail.com
The John Rose Oval also hosts several racing meets each season. The John Rose Open, typically held in December, is a pack style meet open to all abilities, and it has specific classes for masters skaters. The John Rose Oval also hosts one of the American Cup Racing Series meets each year; this is a metric event that typically has a qualifying time requirement. It is open to masters skaters who meet the time standard, but does not have specific masters classes. The John Rose Oval also frequently hosts the National Age-Group Long Track Speedskating Championships. This is a pack style event that determines the National Champions in age groups from kids through 70+. There is no qualifying time for competing in this meet.
Those with a bit more racing experience might want to go to the Pettit National Ice Center in West Allis, WI. The Pettit offers a variety of racing opportunties, including weekend time trials (metric) as well as metric and pack style meets.
There are also some masters-specific racing opportunities available. The US Masters Single Distance Championships are held at the Pettit National Ice Center every January. This event determines the National champions in 5-year age groups from 30 to 80+, but is an inclusive event open to any and all masters skaters who want to race. In addition, the Pettit has been the host of the Masters International meet (which varies between pack and metric style racing) for many years.
For those who are willing to travel farther afield, the Masters Allround Games and Masters Sprint Games (known to masters skaters as “Masters Worlds”) are held yearly, often in Europe but occasionally in the US or Canada. These events feature the top masters skaters from around the world, but there are no qualifying time standards and typically the US has a large enough quota that any US skaters who wish to may participate.
Important Links:
- Roseville Oval
- U.S. Speedskating
- Pettit Center
- U.S. Masters Speedskating
- List of Speedskating events
- Join U.S.S. – membership required to compete
- Greater Minnesota Speedskating Association
- Twin Cities SpeedSkating Club (formerly Plymouth/Wayzata)
- Midway Speedskating Club
- Speed Skating Results
- Long Track Life by Kaari Cox
MN Masters Speedskating 