Paul Smith's College Snowshoe Team Dominates the Summerstown Trails Event

2026 Summerstown 4.4 and 8.4K Snowshoe Races

Summerstown, Ontario

7 February 2026

Eliot Soderholm and Cazimir Couble pace the men's field in the 8.4 and the 4.4K Summerstown Snowshoe Races

The Paul Smith's College Snowshoe Team headed to Summerstown Trails in Summerstown, Ontario, just East of Cornwall to take part in the 4.4Km and the 8.4Km races.  With near zero F temperatures along with a biting northerly wind, it was oddly quite similar to the conditions that the team has encountered the past couple of weeks of snowshoe racing. 

8.4 Km race: It was the first time that Paul Smith's College has participated in the Summerstown Race, and Paul Smith's College junior, Eliot Soderholm (Reston, Virginia), remains undefeated this winter season, as he won the 8.4 K course in 35:16. After the race, he had this to say about the Summerstown course: "This is the best course I have ever raced. It is wider than the usual single-track courses, and it was well packed, which allows you to run faster." 

Canadian masters champion and current points leader in the 2026 Canadian Snowshoe Racing Series, Bernie Hogan placed second in 38:03, followed by PSC's Bryce Shannon (FR: Sparrow Bush, NY), placing third in 41:00.  Mat Matis (FY: Susquehanna, PA) was the third Paul Smith's College student to finish, crossing the line in 48:13, placing third in the Open Men's category behind his fellow teammates. 

Aidan Minihan (JR: Newark, DE) and Brock Boissey (FY: Cadyville, NY) moved up from the typical 5K this weekend to compete in the 8.4 K race and finished in 53:29 and 53:33 respectively.  They finished fifth and sixth respectively in the Open Men's category (U:40).

Men's 4.4 K Race: Cazimir Couble (JR: Spofford, NH) finished first in a time off 26:22, while  Reece Perry (FY: Malone, NY) finished second in 28:52.  This was the first time Couble earned a spot atop the podium in a snowshoe race this winter, and the first time for Perry to be on the men's overall podium for a top three finish.  Tim James placed sixth overall for the men with a time of 32:38, while Devin Stalnaker placed ninth with a time of 45:31.  

Forty – eight athletes took part in the two race distances on the Summerstown Trail system. Much of the course was held on the trails groomed for fat bike training and groomed with a snowdog pulled behind a snowmobile.  This snowdog created a firm running surface, certainly wider than a typical snowshoe single track system that the team has encountered a few times this season.  The snowdog is designed to groom the trail 20.5" and can be extended to 34" in width.  We have yet to encounter any back country trails prepared for fat biking until seeing these trails at Summerstown, Ontario. 

Next on the schedule: The Annual 2K Saranac Lake Winter Carnival Snowshoe Race will take place Monday February 9^th with a start time of approximately 6:30 PM. If you are in the neighborhood, and have a desire to see the best collegiate snowshoe team in the nation, stop up to Dewey Mountain and you can race if you want or cheer on the runners.  As this is only a 2K (1.2 miles) many of the Paul Smith's College runners will treat this as a sprint. 

2026 Paul Smith's College Results – Summerstown Trails

Summerstown, Ontario

24 Finishers the 8.4K: 9 women and 15 men

24 finished the 4.4K: 14 women and 10 men 

Women's 8.4 K Winner:  Claudine Soucie, Canada – 40:45

Men's 8.4K Winner: Eliot Soderholm, Paul Smith's College – 35:16

Women's 4.4K Winner: Jenn Gareau, Canada – 29:45

Men's 4.4K Winner: Cazimir Couble, Paul Smith's College – 26:22