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Friday, June 6, 2025

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Second annual Squirrel Chasers Mountain Bike Race results

The Squirrel Hills Trail Park was the place to be in Minnedosa on May 24. That day, the trail park was home to the annual Squirrel Chasers XC Mountain Bike Race, which welcomed just over 75 participants. This event was hosted in partnership with Prairie Mountain Cycling, the Minnedosa-based cycling club who organized the event; and Valley Life Recreation, the non-profit organization which has been involved in the ongoing development of the Squirrel Hills Trail Park.

“We were really excited to welcome back Manitoba’s mountain bike community after last year’s inaugural event at the Squirrel Hills… For 2025, Prairie Mountain Cycling wanted to build on the great vibes from last year’s event, but this time we had many new additions in place at the trailhead (including washrooms installed just days before) to showcase to the fastest racers in our province,” said Timothy Frykoda, president of Prairie Mountain Cycling. “We were super happy with the turnout and grateful for how the trails dried up just in time for all the knobby tires that rolled over them after the week of rain that preceded the event”

Richard Dupuis, Valley Life Recreation board member, added, “It was a lovely day, The new Squirrel Hills Trail Park was in full display. Overall it went very smoothly. It was great to see the Ole Heie Skillz Park being so actively used for the whole day. It was a very festive and encouraging environment where people challenged themselves to the various courses and distances.”

Race results

Those participating in the races that day ranged in skill level and age categories. Participants as young as eight, to 65+ years old gave it their all on the trails.

The race results for individuals within the Neepawa Banner & Press coverage area are as follows: •Youth Female: Zhannaa Frykoda (Minnedosa), first.

•Youth Male: Jordy Loewen (Neepawa), second; Alexandre Theroux (Minnedosa), fifth.

•Adult Spor t Female: Mischa Drykoda (Minnedosa), first.

•Kids category: Harper and Finley Lamont (Brandon); Laine and Tristan Loewen (Neepawa).

Full race results can be found online at zone4.ca by searching Squirrel Chaser XC MTB 2025.

Trailhead nearly complete

Additional highlights from the day also included:

•Opening comments from Barb Fleury and Roger Smith of Les Métis Local.

•An honour song shared by Derek McKay and members of the 291 Rolling River youth drum group.

•The Saputo Nature Playground, which was particularly popular with the families in attendance. Some youth used it as a comfortable spot to rest and gather together.

Thanks is extended to all who helped to make this day a success.

Dupuis also shared a quick update on the development of the new trailhead, stating, “The trailhead is 90 per cent complete and we are having our grand opening for the Squirrel Hills Trail Park [on July 12].”

The Neepawa Banner & Press looks forward to sharing further news on the developments and hard work put into this recreational venue in the future.