Thursday, November 15, 2012

Kingston Roller Ski Race Raffle & Sponsors

With only 4 days until the 9th Annual Kingston Roller Ski Race, the applicatins are rolling in at the best pace ever.  I'd like to take this opportunity in this final pre-race post to talk about a raffle and our sponsors.

The Capital Region Nordic Alliance (CRNA) is holding a raffle that they started at the North Creek Roller Ski Race back in September and has been selling tickets online since then.  The drawings for the winners will take place at the Kingston race this coming Sunday and tickets still can be purchased at the race.  Thanks to our very gracious sponsors some great prizes will be raffled off.   Atomic skis and Leki skipoles donated by High Peaks Cyclery, roller skis donated byV2 and wax donated by  Toko will all be won by some lucky individuals.  So, when you purchase some new equipment and supplies from High Peaks on Sunday, leave a few dollars aside for the raffle.

Finally, I would like to thank all of our sponsors for their support.  Many of them are listed to the right; however, I want to list all of them here.  Remember:  When you make your purchases, you can choose anyone.  Please choose those companies who support our event and our sport.

Toko wax
V2 Roller Skis
The Rudy Project
Nikwax
EarMitts
Nathan
Accelerade
Concept 2 - Ski Erg
Atomic
Verge Sport
Polar
Hudson Valley Foot Associates
Ruge's Subaru
Shoprite
Rondout Savings Bank
Ryan Insurance
Peregrine Timing Systems

See you on Sunday.

Greg


Sunday, November 4, 2012

Kingston Races, Awards and Costs

The Races:
People can register for the 5K &/or 10K Race(s).  However, if you sign-up for the novice race, that's the only race in which you may participate. The novice race is for people who are just beginning their roller ski training.  The cost is $15 for one race and $20 for two races.

Individual Awards:
I.  An overall male & female champion will be crowned based on their performances in both the 5K & 10K races.

II. An overall male & female champion will be crowned based on their performances in the North Creek Race and their best performance at Kingston.

III.  The male & female winners in the novice race, the 5k race and in the 10K race will receive an award.

IV. Age group winners:
     high school & younger
     out of high school to 29
     30-45
     over 45

Team Awards:
A high school, college or club can enter as many teams as they like.  If entering more than 1 team just list them as Team A, Team B, etc.  We will be rewarding a trophy and a revolving trophy to the winning high school team and the winning college/club team.  Each team must be set and a card filled out before the start of the first race at 12noon.

H.S. Team Championship:  A high school team will consist of 4 skiers - 2 guys and 2 girls.  One guy and one girl must race in the 5K race and a different guy and different girl  must race in the 10K race.  Each skier can participate in both races, if they wish.  However, only 1 race can count toward the team championship and that race must be decided before the races start at 12 noon.

College/Club Team Championship:  Basically, the same rules apply except a college/club needs only 1 woman skier.

Special Team Pricing:
The cost of the race is $15 for one race (novice, 5K or 10K) and $20 for two races (both the 5K and the 10K).    However, a team or club that preregisters as a group at the same time, in the same envelope or in the same email, will receive a discount of $5/skier.  This price is not available on race day.  Coaches - this is a great opportunity to bring your entire team at a very reduced price.  You can sign-up a team by sending me an email listing all the members, their race(s), their age, and their sex.  We can take care of filling out the actual applications on race day.

Race Timing:
For the first time, we will be using chip timing.  Peregrine Timing will be working with us on the event and it should help make the finish line and the awards go smother.  Their logo has been added to the list of sponsors on the right.  Welcome aboard Peregrine.



Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Kingston Roller Ski Applications Available

Applications for the 9th Annual Kingston Roller Ski Race will be sent out this evening to all previous participants as an attachment to an email.  If you do not receive an application and would like one, please email Greg Malia at dgmalia@earthlink.net and mention whether you would like an electronic application or one sent via the mail.

Please pass this information along to all the skiers you know.

A posting about prices and awards will be coming in a couple of days.  Keep an eye out for it.

Sunday, October 21, 2012

9th Annual Kingston Roller Ski Race

Well, that time of year has come for the traditional fall classic - the 9th Annual Kingston Roller Ski Race.  Over the years, as the race has grown, so too has the fun everyone experiences coming to the event.  Seeing old friends, making new ones, getting some great prizes and racing one last time on those roller skis before the snow comes and we put them away until next spring.  And the snow will come this winter.

The race is scheduled for Sunday, November 18th (always the Sunday before Thanksgiving) at the Miller Middle School in Lake Katrine, NY.  Registration will begin at 10am with the races starting at 12 noon with the 5K classic, followed at 12:30 with the 2K novice, and ending at 1:15pm with the ~10K freestyle.  As usual, food and refreshments galore will follow with awards starting around 2:30pm.

We have a great group of sponsors again this year, both local and international, who have donated prizes that will be used as the awards.  The blog posting next week will talk about all of our generous supporters

The big news, once again this year is our affiliation with Brian Delaney and High Peaks Cyclery from Lake Placid.  Brian will be on hand for the 3rd straight year with his very extensive store on wheels.  The prices he'll be offering, at the race, will be the absolute best you will see all season.  He's promised me fantastic bargains on clothing, supplies and equipment.  I'm planning on buying a new pair of classic skis since mine are about 8 years old.  If you're thinking of buying any equipment this season, whether for yourself or for someone else as a Christmas present, do it on November 18th - get great deals and get the shopping out of the way.  Additionally, he'll be collecting skis for stone grinding with a special price of $50 (usually $70).  So, collect yours and your team's skis and bring them along so they can be ast this winter.  Finally, there will be a special deal of ski poles for race  day only. 

That's it for now.  Pencil into your plan book November 18th at Kingston.  Look for my weekly blogs about the race and I'll see everyone in 4 weeks.

Train hard. Ski Fast.

Greg Malia

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Kingston & North Creek Roller Ski Races

The 9th Annual Kingston Roller Ski Race is scheduled for Sunday, November 18th this year.  Much information about the event will be posted during the upcoming weeks.  However, the important announcement, at the moment, is that we have teamed with the new North Creek Roller Ski Race, scheduled for this Saturday, September 29 at 9am, to crown a joint Kingston/North Creek Champion for both the men and the women.  You must race in both events to be eligible for this award.  The North Creek Race is a 5.8 mile freestyle event, followed by speakers from the sports community and then lunch at the Garnett Hill Lodge.  This is just the start of a busy weekend with events planned for Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning.  Additional information can be found at capitalregionnordicalliance.org/event.

I hope to see many NYSSRA members Saturday and then again in November.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Kingston Roller Ski Race Sponsors

We have a great group of sponsors for the 8th Annual Kingston Roller Ski Races. In fact, probably the best group yet. We have some old faithfuls who have been with us for many years now and a couple new companies. I'd like to thank all the sponsors for their support of this event and the Kingston High School nordic ski team.

Toko: The only company to be with us for all 8 years. Check out their new grip wax. They've developed a system where there are only 3 grip waxes that cover all conditions. What could be easier? I, and a few friends, got the opportunity to try them last winter and where other kick waxes failed, these worked beautifully. Pick some up and give them a try. Also, a Toko technical rep will be on hand Sunday to demonstrate some of their products and answer questions.

Salomon: Involved in most of our races, this year, we've also partnered with their trail running division and have received gift certificates for 2 pairs of trail running shoes as prizes.

Accelerade: Also with us for many years, Accelerade has given us some samples of a new product that's just out. I've used their drinks exclusively for about 10 years now and love them. If you haven't tried them yet, do so.

V2: V2 roller skis with their speed reducers and braking system set them apart from so many other brands. They've been involved with the race since the beginning and the Kingston team owns about 10 pairs.

Polar: When you think heart rate monitors, who else do you think of but Polar. There's not much else to say. They're the leader and they're with us. Once again, a Polar representative will be on hand at the race to demonstrate some of their products and answer questions.

Nathan: I've used other hydration systems many years ago; but, now I use Nathan. Whether it's a hand held system, an waist system, or a backpack, Nathan equipment fills the bill.

EarMitts: As the weather gets cold and the snow hasn't begun to fall, we're still on roller skis, especially down around Kingston. However, wearing only a bicycle helmet is hard on the ears. EarMitts keep the ears warm when skiing or bicycling in the cold.

Atomic: One of our original sponsors, Atomic is back after a couple years away. Welcome back. It's good to have them involved again.

Nikwax: Whether cleaning our high tech clothing or refurbishing a waterproof jacket, Nikwax has the product for you.


Our new sponsors this year include:

Rudy Project: As one of the premier helmet and sport glass companies, Rudy Project is very welcome to our event.

Podiumwear: If you're looking for new ski uniforms, look no further. Team HURT put me in touch with Podiumwear and we've purchased some new uniforms from them and they've become a race sponsor. Welcome.

Concept 2: The Ski Erg is the machine for strength training for nordic skiing. It's become so popular that there are races held on the machine. We're glad to have them involved. Welcome.


That's it for this year. As I've said at the previous races and will say again this year, you have many companies from which to choose when purchasing you equipment and supplies. Remember those companies who supported you at this event. Let's support them.

See you on Sunday.

Monday, October 31, 2011

Kingston Races, Awards and Costs

The Races:
People can register for the 5K &/or the 10K race(s). However, if you sign-up for the novice race, that's the only race in which you may participate. The novice race is for people who are just beginning their roller ski training.

Individual Awards:
There will be an overall male & female champions based on their performances in both the 5K & 10K races. This is the same as the past 2 years.

We, also, will be presenting awards to the 1st male & female finishers as well as the age group winners from each race. The age groups are:

high school & younger
out of high school to 29
30-45
over 45

Team Awards:
This, too, will follow what we have done in the past. We will award a trophy and a revolving trophy to the winning high school team and the winning open team/club. Each team participating must be set and a card filled out before the start of the first race at 12 noon.

H.S. Team Championship: A high school team will consist of 4 skiers - 2 guys and 2 girls. One guy and one girl must race in the 5K and the other guy and girls must race in the 10K (of course, they can participate in both races, but only one will count toward the team award). The team must sign-up and decide who will count from each race before the 1st event at 12 noon.

Open Team/Club Championship: Basically, the same rules apply except a club needs only one woman skier.

Special Team Pricing:
The cost of the race is $15 for one race and $20 for two races. However, a team or club that preregisters as a group at the same time, in the same envelope, will pay a maximum of $100 for the entire team/club. This price is not available on the day of the race. Coaches - this is a great opportunity to bring your entire team for a very reasonable price. There is one drawback. We can supply only 10 t-shirts to a team for this special pricing. If you need more shirts, it will cost $6 per extra shirt.

Watch for our next posting about the sponsors.