Winning conditions included fresh snow, warm weather, a record attendance and smiles all around for the 41st edition of the Morin-Heights Viking Loppet!

Sunday, February 24th, the Municipality of Morin-Heights and the Viking Ski Club jointly organized and hosted the Morin-Heights Viking Loppet and welcomed a record breaking 531 participants!

A team of 123 volunteers was greeting participants, handing out refreshments, manning road crossings, and encouraging both skiers and snowshoers along the way to the finish line. Part of the Tour de ski des Laurentides, this great event attracts athletes as well as families of outdoor enthusiasts. As with every edition, the atmosphere was festive and warm, which makes the Viking Loppet Morin-Heights a unique event!

After the race, a well earned bowl of hot chili was served to all racers, followed by the medal presentation using the results provided efficiently by the Sportstats team.

Six years old, Kiara Marshall was participating for the fourth time and completed the 10 km race in one hour, while Chad Walsh, also 6, crossed the finish line after 55 minutes, 58 seconds! Innsbruck Olympic champion in bobsleigh, Vic Emery (79) was the oldest participant to race along the 33 km course last Sunday.

The Desjardins trophy was awarded to the two fastest athletes under 15 to complete the 10 km race, Parker Courte-Rathwell and Alexandra Galarneau both age 11. The name of Charles Gélinas (30) will be engraved on the Munk trophy, awarded to the overall fastest man in the 33 km (2h10m48s). His fastest female counterpart was Christiane Clavel (48), whose name will go on the Berg & Dohrendorf trophy (2h18m45s). She is the first woman in the history of the Loppet to win this award for a third consecutive year!

Teams of first-responders were posted at strategic locations in case of an emergency. The day ended at the Town Hall with a volunteers’ party where they were thanked and given prizes, which were generously donated by local merchants and sponsors.

Many thanks to the major sponsors who make a big difference in the scale and impact of this wonderful event: Caisse Desjardins de la Vallée des Pays-d’en-Haut, Atmosphère St-Sauveur, Merrell, Ski Morin Heights, Gourmet du Village and IGA Morin-Heights. Many, many thanks to the team of volunteers who get things done and without whom there would be no Loppet! Thanks to the dynamic participants who are back year after year!

Visit www.skiloppet.com for detailed results.

Pictures were taken by Mrs. Tara Kirkpatrick, Mr. Wolfgang Hasenstein and Mr. Bernard Dumont, whom we give many thanks to. It is possible to get some of the pictures in high resolution, upon request.

The Town Hall is opened from
Monday to Thursday
8:30 to 12:00 and from
12:45 to 16:30, and Friday
from 8:30 to 12:00

567, chemin du Village
Morin-Heights (Québec)
J0R 1H0

Telephone : 450 226-3232
Fax : 450 226-8786
municipalite@morinheights.com