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Prince George, B.C. – Over 250 athletes – young and old – have descended on Otway Nordic Centre for this weekend’s provincial cross-country racing competition.

Officially known as Teck BC Cup #2 – the races are a prelude to the provincial championships which will be held in Kamloops from Feb. 17-20.

Race spokesperson Dori Alger says “the conditions are firm” and have been helped along by “the new bit of snow” this week.

However, she says the bitter cold this morning, down to minus 25 with the wind chill factored in, did force organizers to rearrange the order of the races.

“The older kids and participants can endure colder weather so we’re putting them up first instead of having the younger ones up first but the temperatures are conducive to good racing.”

Alger says there’s some top talent in town this weekend noting the race is on the list for athletes to qualify for the BC Ski Team, BC Development Squad and BC Talent Squad.

The races continue until 4 p.m. today and go from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. tomorrow.