It’s time once again for the Round Valley Roundup! It’s a Nordic ski event brought to you by the Mountain Trails Foundation and new this year, Utah-based online retailer, Backcountry.com has signed up as the title sponsor. The event happens on February 15, 2014, and will have tons of Nordic-style races from short to long. Registration is open now, so wax those skis and get ready for an active time on the snow.
For more information, the full press release is below:
PARK CITY, Utah (Dec. 3, 2013) — The Mountain Trails Foundation is proud to announce a new sponsor for the 4th Annual Round Valley Roundup. Backcountry.com, online retailer of premier outdoor gear, has signed on as the title sponsor for this year’s 2014 Round Valley Roundup. The event is the longest skate race in the State of Utah.
The event, scheduled to take place at Round Valley on Saturday, Feb. 15, will actually consist of three races: a 5K, a 20K, and a 40K. Register by visiting athlete360.com and searching “Round Valley Roundup.” Entry costs $25 for the 5K, $60 for the 20K and $75 for the 40K, but anyone who signs up before Feb. 14 will receive a $10 discount for each event.
“We’re big supporters of community events that encourage people to get outside,” said Scott Ballantyne, chief marketing officer for backcountry.com. “Nordic skiing is a fantastic way to stay fit during the winter season while enjoying the beauty and competitive nature of the lower slopes of our mountains.”
The races, depending on length, will be one or two laps. Each lap will have an elevation change of about 1,200 feet, but no single hill will climb higher than 200 feet.
The races will begin at 10 a.m., followed by awards presentations starting at 1 p.m.
“The backcountry.com Round Valley Roundup is such an exciting event, not only for racers, but for spectators, too, who can cheer-on both their neighbors and the pros,” Mountain Trails Foundation executive director Charlie Sturgis said. “The races are designed to make this a community-based event. There’s easy uphill grades, fun down-hills — the pros will find the course is fast, amateurs will be challenged, and the lifestyle skiers will be able to tick this off their bucket lists. We are thrilled to have backcountry.com as our Title Sponsor this year to help fuel this excitement”
Proceeds will go toward the Mountain Trails Foundation, a nonprofit that has helped build and preserve miles of non-motorized Nordic, hiking and cycling trails in and around Park City for the past 20 years. The trail network is the only system in the country to have been named a Gold Ride Center by the International Mountain Bicycling Association, and the foundation is getting ready to add another 21.5 miles of trail with the new Wasatch Over Wasatch project, a loop trail it’s building in partnership with the Wasatch Trails Alliance.
“The revenues from our events help offset our operations costs and allow us continue our mission to maintain and facilitate the development of more trails for us all to enjoy year-round,” Sturgis said.
Those looking to get involved don’t need to race to take part: The Mountain Trails Foundation is also seeking race-day volunteers.
“We could not produce our events without the help from volunteers,” Sturgis said. “We have a variety of volunteer options available and lending your support during one of our events is a great way to give back to your trail system.”
To learn more about volunteer opportunities, visit the Round Valley Roundup event page on the Mountain Trails Foundation website and click the link for online volunteer signup, or contact Lora Smith at lora@mountaintrails.org.
For more information about the Round Valley Roundup or the Mountain Trails Foundation, contact Christa Graff, of Graff Public Relations, by calling 435-640-7921 or emailing christa@graffpr.com.