New York State    
On Foot

Snowshoe Racing
Snowshoe racing at the Empire State Games is divided into a two day activity.
Day one consists of the sprints races: 100M, 200M, 400M, and 1500M races conducted on a snow packed and groomed oval track, with basic summer track & field rules.
Day two presents a distance race of 5,000M, which is a cross-country race with a mass start.

All racing is done on a pair of high-tech snowshoes and any non-prototype adult snowshoe model with at least 120 square inches of functional surface area and at least 7" x 20" dimensions, sanctioned by the Amateur International Snowshoe Racing Federation. These racing shoes are usually made from aluminum or other lightweight frame, with special polymer decking and traction devices.

General Rules:
- qualifying races and finals events of the Empire State Games are conducted by the Empire State Snow Shoe Racing Association (ESSSRA).
- Entry fee:  Qualified racers will pay an entry fee as outlined below for the finals in Lake Placid. 
- Participants must be residents of New York State, or be a full-time student in a NY state school.
**Proof of New York State Residency or status as a full time student in a NY state school required.**

- Divisions and ages are: (for the 2010 Winter Games ages are as of December 31, 2009)
Scholastic - Men & Women: athletes between the ages 12 and 17
Open - Men & Women: athletes between the ages of 18 and 29*
*note - over 29 may declare, in writing to the Sport Chairperson by Feb 1 of the current ESG season, to race as an Open Division participant. Any person who declares for Open may not revert to Masters until the following season.
Masters - 5 age groups - Men & Women:
Masters I: 30 - 39;
Masters II: 40 - 49;
Masters III: 50 - 59;
Masters IV: 60 - 69;
Masters V: 70+

- Qualifying and Registering for Empire State Winter Games Snowshoe:
Membership: Racers must be members of ESSSRA to participate in qualifying races and to participate in the finals in Lake Placid.

Snowshoe Sprint and 1500m racers: participants must complete at least 2 qualifying races conducted through the NYS Snowshoe Association during the racing season and finish in the top 20 in their division.  Racers must check the ESG Roster page after February 9, 2010 to see if they have qualified for the finals in Lake Placid.
5,000M racers: competitors must complete a 5,000M ESSSRA sanctioned qualifying race during the racing season.

All qualified racers who wish to compete at the Games in Lake Placid must confirm their intention to compete by registering and paying the entry fee at the Winter Games registration page.
 
Entry fees:  Open & Scholastic Division:  $10.00;  Masters Division:  $40.00
Open & Scholastic Sprint/1500M racers are eligible for a free ESG sweatsuit.
5,000M racers and Masters Division racers are eligible for a free ESG cap and are eligible to purchase an ESG sweatsuit.
Racers who qualify for and wish to compete in both the Sprints1500M and the 5,000M will be assessed the entry fee for their division only once (Snowshoe is considered one sport, and the entry fee is per sport, regardless of the number of events entered for that sport).
For the 2010 Winter Games, the online entry deadline is 11pm, February 17, 2010.

Visit the "Have you Qualified?" page for additional details.
Racers who do not have the ability to register online must call the Games office by February 10 for registration information (518-474-8889). 

- Snowshoe Equipment: Racers may use any adult snowshoe model with at least 120 square inches of functional surface area, sanctioned by the Amateur International Snowshoe Racing Federation..

- There are NO POST ENTRIES for any finals event in Lake Placid.  Those who are qualified to compete at the ESG finals in Lake Placid must confirm their intention to compete by registering online by the deadline date indicated above.

Visit www.empirestatesnowshoe.org for the schedule of Qualifying Race Dates and Locations.

Contact the Empire State Games office at 518-474-8889 for additional information.