Snowshoe racers take off from the VIC’s main building at the start of the Jingle Bell Snowshoe Race in 2013. (Photo provided)

PAUL SMITHS — The Paul Smith’s College Striders will host the 25th annual Jingle Bell Snowshoe Race on Saturday at 1 p.m. And with a solid snow base and continuing below-freezing temperatures, organizers say the race “is assured to be a snowshoe race rather than a late-season trail run.”

The race will take place at the Paul Smith’s College VIC, located on state Route 30 just north of the college campus. Registration begins at 11:30 a.m., and there will be prizes for the top three finishers in six age classes.

“We have received word from snowshoe athletes who are committing to making the trip to Paul Smith’s College from Canada as well as Central New York for this year’s event,” PSC athletic director Jim Tucker wrote in an email. “We hope that we are able to garner several local athletes as well as those who are traveling three-plus hours to take part in this first snowshoe race of the season.”

The race is 5 kilometers long, and there is a 0.8-mile fun run for kids 14-and-under, although people of any age may take part in the 5K.

For entry forms and more information, call Jim Tucker at 518-651-6436 or e-mail jtucker@paulsmiths.edu.