The Tsalteshi Trails Association and the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank are partnering this weekend for a race and fundraiser — the Food Cache Ski Dash.
“A low-key, fun run type of a ski race,” Jenny Neyman, administrative coordinator for Tsalteshi Trails Association, said Tuesday.
The race will be a 7K, in a freestyle format, with both classic and skate skiing available. Neyman said that there will be one mass start.
A 7K is longer than most of Tsalteshi’s more casual races, Neyman said, but with the season starting earlier than average, and the season culminating Tour of Tsalteshi looming only a month away, the group thought now was a good time to put on more events, “give some people something aspirational to work up to.”
“We are hoping that this is a bit of a tune-up for people.”
According to a release from Tsalteshi, all registration proceeds will be donated to the food bank, and racers are encouraged to bring additional nonperishable food donations.
Neyman said Tsalteshi and the food bank have enjoyed a long relationship. The annual Freezer Food Series was a similar food bank fundraiser. The Food Cache Ski Dash keeps that same spirit.
Contestants can register online or in person ahead of the race at 10 a.m. The race starts at 11 a.m. Sunday.
More information about the Tsalteshi Trail Association and other upcoming events, including the Tour of Tsalteshi, can be found at tsalteshi.org.
Reach reporter Jake Dye at jacob.dye@peninsulaclarion.com.