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 | We are going back to our no frills event format for this race. Pre-registered fee is only $5.00 Race day is $10.00 | |
| The race is open to everyone, you do not need to be trying to qualify for anything to come out and enjoy the day with us. | |
| The 10K race is open to anyone that wants to try the longer distance but is mandatory for anyone trying to Qualify for the | |
| National championship in Portland, OR. | ||
| We've added a 5K Citizens race this year for anyone that still wants to try snowshoe racing but doesn't feel ready enough | |
| to run a full 10K. | ||
| However if you are trying to get to Oregon or Lake placid this event can do both. (please visit their sites for more info) | |
| Warm food and drink will be supplied after the event by Hogan's Hideway. | |
| There will be two different loops. One for each distance. They will be mostly groomed. We can not be held responsible if | |
| it snows Friday night and there is no time to groom. | ||
| Packet pick up will begin at 9:00 am for all races at the Cavalry lodge. | |
| PLEASE DO NOT PARK ON THE ROAD IN FRONT OF THE LODGE. Plenty of parking is available at the corner of Pond | |
| and Douglas rd. | ||
| Junior race (5K) begins at 10:00am | |
| Citizens race will start at 10:15am | |
| Men's & Women's race (10K) begins at 11:00am | |
| Please pay attention to the age groups, they are 5 year and based on your age as of DECEMBER 31, 2009. | |
| If no snow (let's hope that doesn't happen again) this will be a trial run and still counts as a qualifier. | |
| For more Information on all the activities at the 2009 Mendon Ponds Winterfest click here to go to their website. |
| WINTERFEST SNOWSHOE EVENTS JANUARY 18 , 2009 |
| MENDON PONDS PARK ROCHESTER, NY |
| SUNDAY JANUARY 18th USSSA REGIONAL NATIONAL QUALIFIER EMPIRE STATE GAMES DISTANCE QUALIFIER |
PICTURES AVAILABLE AT:
January 09, 2009
Press Contact:
Eileen Larrabee
Dan Keefe
518.486.1868
State Parks Announces Plan for 2009-10 Empire State Games
Participation Fees, Discontinuation of Certain Events Necessary to Preserve Games for High School and Physically
Challenged Athletes, while Addressing Record State Budget Deficits
The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation today outlined a plan that preserves the
Governor Hugh L. Carey Empire State Games for high school and physically challenged athletes, while also taking
necessary action to address an economic downturn that is severely impacting the state budget.
In the 2009-10 fiscal year, participation fees of $285 and up to $100 will be implemented for the Summer and Winter
Games, respectively. Previously, there had been no participation fee. The Games for the Physically Challenged will
continue to have no participation fee.
In addition, the annual Senior Games, and all Masters, and Open competitions in the Winter and Summer Games, will
be suspended for the 2009-10 fiscal year. Certain events and activities for high school athletes and the physically
challenged will also be suspended or scaled back, as detailed below.
The changes for the 2009-10 fiscal year are in response to a 10 percent agency spending reduction ordered to help
the state address a precipitous reduction in revenues caused by a deep recession. The Empire State Games, which
originated in 1978, has operated on an annual budget of $3 million – including $2.7 million in state funding support.
State funding support will be discontinued in 2009-10.
"In a time of unprecedented fiscal crisis, the unfortunate reality is that reductions have to be made across every area of
government," said Carol Ash, Commissioner of the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. "We have
sought to strike an appropriate balance that allows the Games to continue for high school and physically challenged
athletes, while also helping the state address its record $15.4 billion deficit."
Looking ahead to the 2010 Summer Games in Buffalo, Ash indicated that the agency would be pursuing private
sponsorship with the hope of reinstating the suspended competitions, as well as revisiting the new fee structure.
Further information on the Games is included below:
The Summer Games: July, 2009, Mid-Hudson ValleyA $285 fee for scholastic-level athletes will be implemented. The
fee will cover the cost of room, board and local transportation during the four-day event. Scholastic boxing, fencing, and
shooting will be suspended for the 2009 summer games.
The Winter Games: February, 2010, Lake Placid
Athletes will continue to pay for their own meals and lodging, as they have traditionally done. The opening ceremonies
will also be scaled back. A participation fee of up to $100 will be implemented.
The February 2009 Winter Games will be held as planned with no fee. However, three sporting events will be
suspended (bobsled, luge, and skeleton).
The Games for the Physically Challenged: May, 2009, Long Island; October, 2009, BrockportThe Games for the
Physically Challenged, for athletes 5-21 years old, will have streamlined activities and events.
Information on the Empire State Games, including details on registration, can be found at www.empirestategames.org.
The reduction in state support for the Empire State Games is one of several steps State Parks has taken to address the
state's fiscal crisis, including reducing operations at state parks and historic sites, eliminating the 2009 State Park
Police academy, instituting a hard hiring freeze, eliminating state support for the Heritage Areas program, and others.
Press Contact:
Eileen Larrabee
Dan Keefe
518.486.1868
State Parks Announces Plan for 2009-10 Empire State Games
Participation Fees, Discontinuation of Certain Events Necessary to Preserve Games for High School and Physically
Challenged Athletes, while Addressing Record State Budget Deficits
The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation today outlined a plan that preserves the
Governor Hugh L. Carey Empire State Games for high school and physically challenged athletes, while also taking
necessary action to address an economic downturn that is severely impacting the state budget.
In the 2009-10 fiscal year, participation fees of $285 and up to $100 will be implemented for the Summer and Winter
Games, respectively. Previously, there had been no participation fee. The Games for the Physically Challenged will
continue to have no participation fee.
In addition, the annual Senior Games, and all Masters, and Open competitions in the Winter and Summer Games, will
be suspended for the 2009-10 fiscal year. Certain events and activities for high school athletes and the physically
challenged will also be suspended or scaled back, as detailed below.
The changes for the 2009-10 fiscal year are in response to a 10 percent agency spending reduction ordered to help
the state address a precipitous reduction in revenues caused by a deep recession. The Empire State Games, which
originated in 1978, has operated on an annual budget of $3 million – including $2.7 million in state funding support.
State funding support will be discontinued in 2009-10.
"In a time of unprecedented fiscal crisis, the unfortunate reality is that reductions have to be made across every area of
government," said Carol Ash, Commissioner of the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. "We have
sought to strike an appropriate balance that allows the Games to continue for high school and physically challenged
athletes, while also helping the state address its record $15.4 billion deficit."
Looking ahead to the 2010 Summer Games in Buffalo, Ash indicated that the agency would be pursuing private
sponsorship with the hope of reinstating the suspended competitions, as well as revisiting the new fee structure.
Further information on the Games is included below:
The Summer Games: July, 2009, Mid-Hudson ValleyA $285 fee for scholastic-level athletes will be implemented. The
fee will cover the cost of room, board and local transportation during the four-day event. Scholastic boxing, fencing, and
shooting will be suspended for the 2009 summer games.
The Winter Games: February, 2010, Lake Placid
Athletes will continue to pay for their own meals and lodging, as they have traditionally done. The opening ceremonies
will also be scaled back. A participation fee of up to $100 will be implemented.
The February 2009 Winter Games will be held as planned with no fee. However, three sporting events will be
suspended (bobsled, luge, and skeleton).
The Games for the Physically Challenged: May, 2009, Long Island; October, 2009, BrockportThe Games for the
Physically Challenged, for athletes 5-21 years old, will have streamlined activities and events.
Information on the Empire State Games, including details on registration, can be found at www.empirestategames.org.
The reduction in state support for the Empire State Games is one of several steps State Parks has taken to address the
state's fiscal crisis, including reducing operations at state parks and historic sites, eliminating the 2009 State Park
Police academy, instituting a hard hiring freeze, eliminating state support for the Heritage Areas program, and others.
We will update our site as we are notified of changes in the Empire State Games