Smith defends title in P.G. Iceman

Prince George Iceman soloist Shar Balogh carves her way through the snow at Otway during the cross-country skiing leg of Sunday’s multi-endurance event. Balogh finished eighth overall and was the second female, behind Jacqui Benson, to cross the finish line.

Alistair McINNIS/Free Press

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Mike Smith won his second consecutive Prince George Iceman overall title.

The 2012 solo winner was ahead of the class again this year. He posted a time of one hour, 52 minutes and 20 seconds (1:52:20) on Sunday.

Runner-up Peter Krause clocked in at 1:52:53, while Michael Buchanan finished third with a time of 1:53:02. Smith ran in the open men’s division, while Krause and Buchanan competed in the masters male category.

The multi-endurance course began with an eight-kilometre ski at the Otway Nordic Centre, followed by a 10 km run from the Otway facility to the Outdoor Ice Oval, where participants skated 12 laps (approximately 5 kilometres) around the track. After another run through the Pinewood subdivision, competitors ended up at the Aquatic Centre for the final leg, a swim of approximately 800 metres.

Jacqui Benson won the overall female title, her first time topping the field of women. Her time of 1:57:53 was 37 seconds faster than female runner-up Shar Balogh. Benson and Balogh, open female competitors, were also seventh and eighth overall.

Three other soloists crossed the finish line before Benson: open male competitors Stefan Widmer (1:53:08), Ian Picketts (1:57:10) and Patrick Turner (1:57:26).

Other winners in individual divisions, with overall placements and times in parentheses, were: Richard Harrison - veteran men (10th, 1:59:49); Carolyn Bax - masters women (13th, 2:05:57); Joanne Morgan - veteran women (35th, 2:24:58).

Fifty-nine soloists completed the course.

In the relay category, The Young & Younger had the fastest time among 82 teams to complete the course, clocking in at 1:39:20. Runner-up Three Shades of Grey had a time of 1:40:52. The Young & Younger was an open mixed team, while Three Shades of Grey entered the relay open male division.

Other team winners were: A King and Four Aces - veteran mixed (ninth, 2:03:26); V02 Maxed Out - masters women (11th, 2:05:00); City Slickers - masters mixed (12th, 2:05:14); Two Old to Know Better - veteran men (13th, 2:05:58); Asian Sensation & Caucasian Persuasion - open women (27th, 2:16:02); Old Girls Who Rock - veteran women (52nd, 2:28:56); Team SPS - masters men (59th, 2:35:59).

Sunday marked the 26th annual Iceman. The event included a junior team category, and representation from Special Olympics Prince George and the Down Syndrome Association.