Jason Stockfish | [email protected]
The local branch of the Association Canadienne Fran莽aise de l鈥橝lberta (ACFA) hosted its annual Jasper Winter Pentathlon Hivernal at Mildred Lake on Feb. 4.
Organized by ACFA Jasper, Caroline Roy, and many local volunteers, the event has been occurring for 15 years now, with a few weather interruptions over the years meaning that 2023 was the 12th iteration of the pentathlon, explained Annie Arseneau, directrice of the ACFA r茅gionale de Jasper.
Sixteen teams registered for the event that had participants competing in five different sports: biking, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, running and skating.
Due to a lack of recent snowfall, the snowshoeing was replaced by a second running event.
Most teams were made up of multiple athletes who competed in relay fashion. However, a solo team consisting of Jocelyn Nadeau also took part.
Participants arrived in elaborate costumes with big smiles on their faces ready to have an amazing time as a rowdy crowd gathered to cheer them on as they rode, skied, ran and skated their way through the events.
The atmosphere was one of friendly fun, and everyone received a participation medal and a souvenir from the race, but there was still an element of competition for many of the athletes as they determinedly made their way through their event(s) and across the finish line.
In the end, the winning teams were: Jocelyn Nadeau (fastest male solo), Miss Fit and the Misfits (fastest team), Blizzard of Oz (best team costume) and The French Maids (best team spirit), but the smiles plastered across the athletes鈥� and spectators鈥� faces throughout the day expressed the fun that was had by all.
As the ACFA is a non-profit organization, it relies on local businesses for donations and draw prizes for the event, in addition to funding from Patrimoine Canada.
鈥淲e would like to take the time to thank our sponsors and local businesses for their ongoing support,鈥� Arseneau said.
鈥淲e had great weather, great participants and great spirits throughout. It was an awesome day for everyone young and old. Thank you to the 69 participants that came out in good fun.鈥�
