Some runners head for the treadmill come winter. Some take time off. Others slog through the slush-coated streets, or take their chances on the trails. And some strap on snowshoes and race.

If you've ever wanted to try snowshoe racing, there's one coming up Feb. 17 at the Horse Hill Nature Preserve in Merrimack, organized by local-based 3C Race Productions. The main event will be a 7K around the white-blazed Loop Trail. It's a mix of single track and wider trail, with lots of little dips and rises but no big hills. The application is up here, and you can learn more about Horse Hill Nature Preserve here. The race will start at the main parking area, off Amherst Road between Peaslee and Naticook.

For those willing to travel a little further, the Western Mass. Athletic Club (organizers of the Grand Tree trail running series) also has a snowshoe series, with races darn near every weekend.

I've never run a snowshoe race myself, but I understand racers generally use smaller shoes than recreational hiking models. I've noticed that most snowshoe races are shorter than most trail races, too. That's about all I know about it, really. An exception to that 'shorter' rule would be the Pittsfield Peak snowshoe race in Vermont. They run a marathan with some 6,000 feet of elevation change, for distance devotees who miss the masochism!