Myrda, Sauvala Win Limestone Loppet

No strangers to local cross-country skiing's winners' circle, Jan Myrda (top photo) and Kielo Sauvala (middle photo) won the overall and women's titles respectively on Saturday on a soft trail at McKee Marsh near Warrenville. Parts of the trail got pretty mushy but other parts held up. Skiing in northern Illinois, no matter what the surface, can be challening and fun! Twenty-five skiers competed.

8K FREESTYLE TIME TRIAL
MALES
1. Jan Myrda, 40, Palos Heights, IL, 24:01
2. Randal Bladel, 55, Granger, IN, 27:06
3. Mike Choate, 54, Chicago, IL, 27:46
4. Chuck Kessler, 66, Northbrook, IL, 31:58
5. Steve Wikner, 54, Kenosha, WI, 32:05
6. David Fyhrie, 57, Wheaton, IL, 32:14
7. Chuck Zagozdon, 62, Chicago, IL, 32:26
8. Kevin Flowers, 46, Glen Ellyn, IL, 32:58
9. Richard Skibicki, 59, Morton Grove, IL, 33:30
10. Jim Gearhart, 59, Oak Park, IL, 35:18
11. Jerry Pasierb, 51, Downers Grove, IL, 35:27
12. Leif Reditsch, 52, Glen Ellyn, IL, 35:38
13. Roger Dejus, 57, Hinsdale, IL, 35:56
14. Mark Sayers, 50, Shorewood, IL, 36:39
15. Harry Maranowicz, 64, Downers Grove, IL, 37:21
16. Mike Pellikan, 52, Mount Prospect, IL, 38:00
17. Michael Meissner, 61, Hinsdale, IL, 41:26
18. Bary Rotman, 50, Grayslake, IL, 42:38
19. Mike Hickey, 58, Chicago, IL, 47:47
20. John Innocentini, 48, Lake Barrington, IL, 57:40

FEMALES
1. Kielo Sauvala, 51, Glenview, IL, 37:01
2. Sarah Hraha, 51, Clarendon Hills, IL, 53:14
3. Deb Choate, 55, Chicago, IL, 59:37

4K CAT-SKI RACE
1. Abbott Wright, 62, Inverness, IL, 31:44
2. Randal Bladel, 55, Granger, IN, 38:19 (Was leading but made wrong turn)
3. Charles Wallin, 69, Rockford, IL, 40:24



Casco and King Keyser rolled out the banners on what turned out to be a "balmy" day.

Limestone Loppet Nov. 12 at McKee Marsh

The Limestone Loppet 8K and Cat-Ski 4K are set for Saturday morning, Nov. 12, at McKee Marsh, which is the north side of Blackwell Forest Preserve on Mack Road in DuPage County. The main event consists of a time-trial format 8K freestyle race with skiers starting 30 seconds apart on their off-road roller-skis. The Cat-Ski race will start at 10 a.m. with a mass start. We've had generally OK to good conditions over the years with an exception or two, but this event is always fun and is one heck of an early-season workout. We'll have overall results, but no real awards. There will be a raffle with some terrific stuff including goodies from Casco Eyewear, King Keyser, a gift certificate from New Moon, subscriptions to Master Skier and Cross Country Skier, products from Fast Wax and maybe more. I want to thank Bill Weidner and Barry Rotman for all they have done to help get this race to where it is this year. For information (you don't have to sign up ahead of time, but it sure would help), go to: https://www.signmeup.com/79457, Online entry is $15 plus the registration company fee. If you sign up on race day, please bring $20 in a white envelope with your name on it.