Speed skaters begin a race on the wind- and snow-swept ice at the Olympic Oval Sunday during the two-day Lake Placid North American Challenge marathon competition. (Photo — Christie Sausa)

LAKE PLACID — Despite threats of rain the first day and snowfall and wind on the second day of racing, the Lake Placid North American Challenge was a successful first event of the season in the Lake Placid Speed Skating Club racing series.

The competition was held at the Olympic Speedskating Oval on Saturday and Sunday.

Sponsored by the Bill Bauer Memorial Fund and hosted by the Lake Placid Speed Skating Club, the marathon was one of the first in the country this season, and allowed participants the opportunity to compete in 5k (13 laps), 21k (54 laps) or 42k (108 laps) over two days, or all three distances. What makes these feats particularly impressive is that it is mostly the domain of masters skaters, with competitors ranging in age from 30 into their 70s routinely participating.

Marathon skating, unlike metric skating, involves longer distances and a more cooperative style of skating. Marathon skaters compete in packs, often skating in peloton-style lines to allow “drafting” for those skating behind the lead skater.

It’s history in the sport is well-documented. Starting in the Netherlands, marathons became moderately popular in North America, especially Canada, At least half of those competing in the Lake Placid marathon were from Canada. Lake Placid has been a hub of speed skating marathons for decades, hosting at least one marathon per season. If the weather permits, the last meet of the season is the Lake Placid Marathon Finale, which this year is scheduled for March.

The overall winners of the 5k were Quebec’s Guylaine Larouche and another Canadian, Jake Maarse. Larouche was also the overall ladies winner of the 21k, and Nathan Feinberg of Rochester won the men’s 21k race. Feinberg also won the 42k race, while the ladies title went to Jen Benediktson of Canada.

Awards were given by age class, with recipients receiving custom Lake Placid North American Challenge medals. 42k medals were awarded by event sponsors and 2010 Olympic silver medalist Trevor Marsicano, who is also a coach for the Lake Placid Speed Skating Club.

Helping organize the event were veteran marathon skaters Carole Moore and Dave Phillips, members of the Flushing Meadow Speed Skating Club. They skated with another well-known marathon skater Bill Bauer, who left sponsorship funds to be administered in the promotion of marathon skating, which includes these marathons. This was the second year of the Lake Placid North American Challenge.

“It was a great way to start the oval skating season,” said Phillips, who along with Moore also raced in the 21- and 42-kilometer distances. “Many thanks to the ORDA crew who kept great ice through the challenging Adirondack weather.”

The next meet scheduled is the Charles Jewtraw All Around Championships Jan. 4 -5, 2020. For more information, including registration, visit the Lake Placid Speed Skating Club’s website www.lakeplacidspeed.com.