Prince George, B.C. – The outdoor ice oval promises to be a busy place today.

This as the Prince George Blizzard Speed Skating Club and the Outdoor Ice Oval Society co-host a long track speed skating competition.

“We have 81 athletes registered from Prince George, Vanderhoof, Fort St. John, Fort St. James, Dawson Creek, Kamloops and Richmond,” says Ice Oval Society spokesperson Kathy Lewis. “This is the first long track meet that Prince George has hosted since the Canada Winter Games.”

She adds both Olympic Skate (two skaters on the ice, one on the inner lane, one of the outer lane, crossing every lap) and Mass Start (up to eight skaters at once) races will be held from 9 a.m. to around 4:30 p.m.

Lewis says the oval will be closed to the public during the meet, but spectating is free.