Name: Aaron Robertson

Home Base: Rouses Point, NY

Occupation: Instrumental Music Teacher (Grades 5-8)

Years on Atlas Racing: 4

My Story:

My first introduction to snowshoe racing came in 2003 after I had just competed in a 10k road race at the Winter Festival in Cooperstown, NY. After using the race as a warm-up some runners were going to a different part of town to compete in the snowshoe race. Thinking they were crazy, I thought it would be amusing to watch these athletes calling themselves snowshoers strapping tennis rackets to their feet and trying to run. To my amazement, I pulled up the race before it began and watched runners flying by with small high-tech snowshoes. I couldn't believe what I was seeing! I didn't want to miss the fun, so I borrowed a pair of snowshoes.

The race director was kind enough to wait on the start while I figured out how to put them on my feet on the start line, entertaining the eager snowshoe athletes with jokes about an unnamed snowshoer (me) who couldn't get his shoes on. Somehow I managed to strap them on and the race was on its way. I have been hooked ever since.

Snowshoeing is a challenge filled with rewards. How can you beat snowshoeing on a clear crisp day, a cold windy day, a blizzard, or at night with the moon reflecting light off the snow? Whatever the conditions are, if there is snow you are ready to go. You don't have to worry about temperature or the art of selecting waxes like in skiing. For all you runners out there trying to run on icy roads or logging hours on a treadmill, you have to give snowshoeing a try. Guess what cyclists, snowshoeing uses the same muscles. Sure it's tough, but there is nothing better than getting out of the house on a cold winter day, strapping on a pair of snowshoes, and did I mention that it has less impact then running? That means all those nagging running injuries will get a chance to heal, while building your overall fitness. It is a great way to exercise during the winter and to meet some new people.

Accomplishments:

• 6th place, 2008 USSSA National Championships.
• 1st place, 2008 Camp Saratoga 8k Regional Qualifier.
• 2nd place, 2008 5k Empire State Games.
• 2008 American record, 1500 meters.
• Injured in 2007 with four broken ribs.
• Introduced members of the Mansfield University Cross-Country team to snowshoeing.
• 6th place, 2006 Atlas Dachstein Extreme World Snowshoe Championships.
• 3rd place, 2006 Hoffman Notch Regional Qualifier.
• 2nd place, 2006 Age Group USSSA National Championship.
• 2005 USSSA National Snowshoe Champion.

Season Goals:
Promote snowshoeing by introducing kids and adults to snowshoeing. Get back into Competitive Shape. Compete in local races, the Empire State Games, and the USSSA Qualifier Races. Compete in either the Ciaspolada Snowshoe race in Italy, the Atlas Extreme World Snowshoe Championships in Austria, or compete in the USSSA National Championships.