Highlands skiers Joleen Thomas left Mike Armstrong and his son Evan proudly show off their medals from the Muskoka Loppet held on Sunday Jan. 27 at Arrowhead Provincial Park in Huntsville. Mike finished first among competitors aged 50 to 59 for the 15 kilometre distance while Thomas finished second among female competitors aged 40 to 49 in the 15 kilometre race and Evan was third in his age group for male competitors up to 13 in the 15 kilometre race. Photo by Stuart Humphries.
Published Feb. 5 2019
Eight area Nordic skiers showcased great determination braving the cold and their respective distances in the Muskoka Loppet held on Sunday Jan. 27 at the Arrowhead Provincial Park in Huntsville.
Local doctor and avid Nordic skier Mike Armstrong of Haliburton led the way as he finished first in the 50 to 59 age group for the 15 kilometre distance. Armstrong finished in 11th place overall.
Along with Armstrong there were two other podium finishers from the area.
Carnarvon’s Joleen Thomas finished in second place among females from 40 to 49 in the 15 kilometre distance. She finished 27th overall.
Armstrong’s son Evan was just 10 spots behind his father in 21st overall and third in his age group (male age two to 13) in the 15 kilometre distance race.
Thomas came with her entire family to the competition which included daughters Olivia Violet son Tristan and husband Stuart Humphries who raced with his son.
Olivia finished seventh among competitors aged 12 to 13 and sister Violet finished tenth among competitors 10 to 11 both in the five kilometres distance.
In just his third Nordic race Tristan finished fifth among competitors eight to nine and 44th overall in the five kilometre distance.
Mike Darlington put in the longest day with a time of 2:28:09 to cover the 30 kilometre distance. His time was good enough for 31st among 50 to 59 male competitors.
Compiled by Staff
