Brandon Williams, Bridges Athletics Snowshoe Team, crosses the finish line after winning his heat during the snowshoe competition at Green Lakes State Park in Syracuse, N.Y. (Photo by Kayla Bartkowski)
Despite the cold temperatures, athletes participating in the snowshoeing competition at this year’s NYS Special Olympics Winter Games had to make do without snow. The annual event, which took place in Syracuse, NY was relocated to Green Lakes State Park, 20 minutes outside the city. The park’s sandy beaches were used for the athletes’ races in the absence of snow.
When asked if competiting on sand put a damper on the event, athlete Melanie Grassi said, “it’s the same amount of fun.”
Great Tigers Snowshoe coach Stanley Van Savage ties a bib number on athlete Michelle Markhan before her race at Green Lakes State Park in Syracuse, N.Y. Van Savage’s daughter has been on competing on his team for 50 years. (Photo by Kara Gildea) for 50 years. (Photo by Kara Gildea)
Athletes run in a preliminary snowshoe race at Green Lakes State Park in Syracuse, N.Y. (Photo by Kara Gildea)
Fans cheer on an athlete during the snowshoe competition at Green Lakes State Park in Syracuse, N.Y. (Photo by Kayla Bartkowski)
Imprints of snow in sand during the snowshoe competition at Green Lakes State Park in Syracuse, N.Y. The lack of snow on the ground required athletes to compete on sand for the snowshoeing competition. (Photo by Kayla Bartkowski)
Sue Draves helps strap on her son Peter’s snowshoes before he warms up for his race at Green Lakes State Park in Syracuse, N.Y. “He loves everything about Special Olympics” says Sue. (Photo by Kara Gildea)
Snowshoe competition at Green Lakes State Park in Syracuse, N.Y. (Photo by Kayla Bartkowski)
Athletes race in the snowshoeing category of the Special Olympics New York on Feb. 24, 2024 at Green Lakes State Park in Syracuse , N.Y. (Photo by Evie Linantud)
Darius McGill looks ahead as he stands at the starting line of a snowshoe race at Green Lakes State Park in Syracuse, N.Y. (Photo by Kara Gildea)
Tyler Hochwald celebrates after finishing his race in the snowshoeing category of the Special Olympics New York on Feb. 24, 2024 at Green Lakes State Park in Syracuse , N.Y. (Photo by Evie Linantud)
Brendan Bartlett Jackson sits with Patrick Harvey Putnam during the snowshoeing category of the Special Olympics New York on Feb. 24, 2024 at Green Lakes State Park in Syracuse , N.Y. (Evie Linantud)
Brendan Bartlett Jackson
David Cohen, left and Debbie Cohen, right strap on their snowshoes in preparation for the Snowshoe competition at Green Lakes State Park in Syracuse, N.Y. The couple from Long Island have been snowshoeing for 6-7 years together. (Photo by Kayla Bartkowski)
Heath Saffer takes a breath after racing in the snowshoeing category of the Special Olympics New York on Feb. 24, 2024 at Green Lakes State Park in Syracuse , N.Y. (Evie Linantud)
