One of the biggest races of the New England masters circuit took place yesterday, with about 145 participating in the third annual White Mountain Classic 30K. The race was hosted on the trails of the Jackson Ski Touring Foundation.

Approximately 145 cross-country competitors, mostly masters from all over New England, participated in yesterday's White Mountain Classic 30K
SCOTT ANDREWS PHOTOS

After one loop on the Wentworth Fields, racers crossed the Ellis River on this covered bridge, then headed north on the famed Ellis River Trail

Most of the race took place on the Ellis River Trail, which had plenty of snow and was very well groomed.

Volunteer race workers await the first finisher at yesterday's White Mountain Classic 30K

Justin Beckwith, of the Middlebury (VT) Ski Club, was first across the finish line with a time of about 1:30

Justin Beckwith, of the Middlebury (VT) Ski Club, finished first. Top Maine finisher was Ben Koons, of Sidney, skiing for the Dartmouth Outing Club. Top Portland finisher was Connor Cushman, representing the Portland Ski Club.

Competitors ranged in age from 17 to mid-80s. The race is sanctioned by the New England Nordic Skiers Association. A key NENSA feature is grouping results in five-year increments of age.

Sally Swenson, of the Mt. Washington Valley Nordic Club, was the 100th finisher -- good enough for second place in the women's age 60-64 class

The next big race in this series is next Saturday, the 26th annual Craftsbury Marathon, which is a point-to-point competition and includes a number of gourmet feed stations for the 25K Tourer Class. Registration for Craftsbury is capped at 1,000.

After watching the race I gave my new skis and boots a test run, scooting about halfway up the Ellis River Trail, then retracing my route back to Jackson Village.

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