The Tug Hill Tourathon, Can Entries Ever Reach The Level They Once Were?

In the 1980's The Tug Hill Tourathon attracted hundreds of skiers with
a cut off at 600 if I'm not mistaken. The entries would fill up
quickly. Over the years the numbers have dwindled to just over a one
hundred on a good year. Is there anyway to build up entries to earlier
levels?

I know first hand of the races shortcomings. For example lack of track
set, or any grooming. The organizers favorite excuse was snowmobilers
took out the track set the night before. How about re-setting the
track the day of the event then? The other problem was feed stations
that were promised, but never existed. Probably the biggest disaster
was when The Tourathon was part of The Great American Ski Chase for
several years. During one of these years the course was not marked
adequately and the lead pack went backcountry skiing. Several years
back N.Y. State helped with the purchase of a Tucker Snow Cat, which
doesn't really do much good when they a pull a snowmobile drag behind
it. The drag didn't have a track set attachment and left a super
smooth non-corduroy finish on the trail.

It's sad to see this event with a long history sliding into oblivion.
This year it will take place alongside the postponed Lake Placid
Loppet. Sounds like numbers will be really down. Several years back
some racers from Syracuse and Rochester really tried to pump some new
blood into the event by offering ideas to the acting Tug Hill Ski Club
President. Unfortunately The Tug Hill Tourathon has drifted back to an
over priced and unproffessional event slatted for doom. I've
participated in the event around ten times putting out the bucks to
help with the club, but each year they dissapointed. Perhaps it should
be changed back to a freestyle event. At least this way grooming will
be easy for the workers. Moreover, the course is more suited for
freestyle, because the terrain is very flat. Any other thoughts about
this event would be appreciated.