The conditions for the 4th annual event were good with partly sunny skies and temperatures between 0 and 8 degrees. The trails were in good condition with very few muddy spots.
This year's run was unique in two ways. It was the first time in the 4 year history of the event that there was a race for the coveted Crystal 100 crown. Also, there were only two starters, Larry Tomie and Mario Festival.
Tomie started the event with a sizeable lead over Festival having won the Crystal Ski Race earlier this year with a personal best time of 2:54:49. Whereas Festival had his slowest ski time ever with a time of 3:33:41. This gave Tomie a lead of 38:52. Click on Crystal 50 Ski Race for results from the Soo Finnish Nordic Ski Club web site.
Festival was able to squeeze out a victory with the narrowest of margins and set a new course record. Festival reached the marathon mark in 3:09 and Tomie's time was 3:46. The marathon mark is approximately at the start of the Inner Loop on the 4th lap.
Crystal 50 Time Splits
Mario Festival 3:52:20 8:14 51:27 53:53 56:55 61:50
Larry Tomie 4:35:51 9:31 61:20 63:01 65:28 76:30
Crystal 100 Total Ski Run
Mario Festival 7:26:01 3:33:41 3:52:20
Larry Tomie 7:30:40 2:54:49 4:35:51
