Sports This Week: Litzenberger returns to ultra racing with strong finish in Cypress Hills

By David McIver

Sports Day

Twenty Rosetown minor ball teams were expected to play in the Rosetown Sports Day on Saturday. As it did last year, the day was to conclude with the senior Angels taking on Angels alumni.

Ultra marathoner back at it

Harold Litzenberger of Rosetown recently returned to endurance racing after a year away from competition.

He made his comeback at a new event, the Reesor 50-Mile Race through the Cypress Hills on May 16.

Litzenberger’s goal was to complete the course in less than 14 hours, and he achieved that by finishing in 13 hours, 17 minutes.

“I was quite happy with what I did,” said Litzenberger.

Dr. Keith Meszaros of Biggar, who has a chiropractic practice in Rosetown, entered the half-marathon race but retired early, Litzenberger said.

After completing his first ultra marathon in a year, Litzenberger admitted he felt the effects.

“I was tired, definitely tired. The feet were a bit sore, but more tired than sore, I guess.”

He said the mental challenge was also significant, especially when trying to keep moving after many hours on the course.

Litzenberger finished 74th among 135 runners and placed second in his age category (56-60).

“There were definitely some fast people,” he said.

The overall winner completed the race in just over seven hours.

“He was flying,” said Litzenberger.

The race, which started and finished at the historic Reesor Ranch, took runners through what Litzenberger described as “quite hilly” terrain, with approximately 2,300 metres of elevation change.

About half the course was on the Alberta side of the Cypress Hills and half on the Saskatchewan side.

Runners also crossed three creeks during the event. Litzenberger noted organizers had cut and removed more than 50 downed trees from the course before race day.

“There were lots of ups and downs,” he said, adding the route was “very picturesque, beautiful.”

The weather was also ideal.

“It was a gorgeous day out there, the best day of the weekend,” he said.

One perk of finishing the race was a steak meal.

“No matter what time they finished, they got a steak,” said Litzenberger.

“It was very well organized,” he added.

Aid stations offered more than the usual snacks and drinks.

“There was hot food at a couple of the aid stations, which I didn’t expect,” he said, noting there were hotdogs at one station and quesadillas at another.

A band also played for much of the day.

The race is organized by Prairie Sky Running Company, the same group behind the Beaver Flat 50. Litzenberger noted this was only the second year the Reesor 50 has been held.

His next event will be a familiar one: the 12-hour Hoot ’n Howl on the Wascana Trails northwest of Regina on July 25-26.