By Heather Clower
The Parsons Advocate
The annual duct tape and cardboard sled race participants took to the starting line Saturday despite temperatures in the teens and poor road conditions. Participants and spectators came from near and far to witness the creations from those young of age and young at heart.
Stacy Smith works at the sled run during the winter months and helps with the registration process. “It’s for fun and to bring people out and realize we have this,” Smith stated. A theme goes along with the race each year, 2020 being Fast and Furious. As the racers arrive at the Blackwater Sled Run, they must subject their speed machine for inspection to ensure they stayed true to the rules. The only materials that can be used are cardboard, except for the extremely dense cardboard found in carpet rolls, and duct tape. However, this useful and versatile tool cannot make up more than 50% of the structure.
Once the racer passes inspection, the participants are evaluated to ensure they have their helmets and know how to properly stop their sled. When in doubt, the racers are instructed to bail. This completes the initial check in process allowing the racers to take to the registration process.
Teams can be made up of up to five racers who are assigned a number and asked for a one dollar racers fee. They are asked for their team names which can range from a family name, church name, or some imaginative and creative ideas.
Matt Baker, Park Superintendent, said “This is just to get the word out; it’s a great event for kids and families.”
Paulita Cousin, Park Naturalist, explained the different awards offered to the winners who are judged by a group of park employees. “The tip top award is for the team with the best looking sled that meets the theme. The spirit award goes to the team who has the best spirit, not just for their team members but for the total event.” The last two years, the spirit award has gone to the Mt. Top Youth Group in Davis. With any race, the goal is speed. The sled that crosses the finish line with the fastest time takes this honor. Prizes vary depending on the winners since some participants are a part of a church, organization, or school group.
“We see all styles from basic to elaborate,” continued Cousin, “I never want it to get too competitive.” She said, “The main goal is for families and groups to do something together and have fun.” Cousin stated that 2019 produced 37 teams with hopes that each year will get bigger and better. “We have people who drive four to five hours just for this event,” she concluded.
Team Fast and Furious was composed of Neil Fernandes, age 11, and Elijah and Samson Reeves, age 10. Fernandes, originally from Brazil before relocating more locally, said he met the Reeves twins at church and became good friends. When asked how long it took for them to build their sled, Fernandes said, “It took us two Mondays.”
Two friends from the Canaan Valley area also brought their sled out to test it on the slope, Tim McGowan and Blaine Steensland. Their work of art was cleverly named Geezer Express. The friends were competing for the first time expressing their desire to test their skills “before they aged out.” When asked how they came up with their design, Steensland jokingly said, “It’s a federally researched design,” and, “I think we have a few major universities interested in the design.” Upon further inspection, it became evident that their “federally researched design” was merely a flat piece of cardboard lined in duct tape with the name Geezer Express written in marker. McGowan added, “Unfortunately the US Olympics Team ignored us, too.” In all seriousness though, McGowan said, “It seemed like fun.” As the Geezer Express headed toward the conveyor belt to escort them to the starting line, they departed by saying, “See you in the Emergency Room!”
The teams were randomly drawn to decide who went down in which heat. Heats consisted of five racers and each team was assigned a timer with a stop watch to ensure everyone had a fair calculation on their run. The slope was shortened instead of allowing the racers to run the full length of the hill, and after the first heat it became quite evident as to why.
As Cousin announced “Ready, set, go,” over the microphone, some racers took off with great speed, others dug into the snow, some sleds fell apart, while others spun in circles before toppling over and spilling out their racers. For the 2020 event, 61 teams entered the race with the slopes lined with spectators cheering, laughing, and assisting when they could.
Once all racers convened around the warmth of the fire pit and shop, most sleds in more pieces than they began with, Cousin announced the winners of the 2020 Cardboard and Duct Tape Sled Race. For the third year in a row, the Mt. Top Youth Group of Davis won the spirit award. The sled design and theme winner went to Girl Scout Troop 14068, and the fastest sled with a time of 13 seconds went to Bret and Jamie Kight of Aurora.
Although quite cold, the end of the event was full of smiles and laughter with plans for the 2021 race already brewing. Cousin announced that the theme for next year will be Star Trek, and while the typical date is the last Saturday in February, that date may change for next year.
