Record numbers at the Morin-Heights Viking Loppet
Sunday, February 28th, the Municipality of Morin-Heights and the Viking Ski Club jointly hosted the 38th edition of the Viking Loppet. 440 participants registered this year, a record for this event. Temperatures were mild and the atmosphere warm and inviting. More than 140 volunteers led the way, handing out refreshments and encouraging both skiers and snowshoers along the way.

As an email from a Loppet skier shows, this community event continues to please year after year: «I would like to commend the organisers of this year’s Loppet. Despite challenging ski conditions, the event was an absolute pleasure. It was extremely well organized and the staff was friendly and helpful. It was a positive experience from the moment I arrived until my last sip of coffee before I left.»

The new 5 km snowshoe run, with its 27 racers, was a great addition to the Loppet this year. We look forward to a growing participation in this event. 183 skiers took part in the 10 km race, popular with families and youth. The 20 km attracted 165 participants, and 65 skiers looking for a greater challenge, raced the 33 km. The youngest skier, Kiara Marshall was only 3 years old, and Jean Constantineau, 82, was the Loppet’s most senior athlete.

After the race, a well earned lunch was served to all racers, while Guy Thibaudeau announced the results efficiently provided by the Sportstats team, thanks to their ChampionChip technology. Medals were presented by Councillor Leigh McLeod. The two fastest athletes in the 15 and under age category, Mathieu Gélinas for the boys, and Marianne Lemire for the girls, will have their names added to the Desjardins trophy.

Teams of first-responders were posted at strategic locations in case of emergency. The day ended at the town hall with a volunteers’ party where they were thanked and given prizes generously donate by local merchants and sponsors.

Visite the loppet’s website at www.skiloppet.com for details.

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