WEST FARGO (AP) - The lack of snow didn't slow down snowblower racers at a winter festival here.

Tyler Roehl, a North Dakota State University football player from West Fargo, was named the winner of the Great American Snowblower Race on Saturday.

He won a new snowblower.

More than 30 participants joined in the race, which was part of the West Fargo Park District's Winter Days, which run through Saturday.

It was the first time a snowblower race was held at the festival.

Rhonda Hawley was there watching her husband compete. They were under the impression that the event was about snowblowing, rather than a race against the clock and around stacked orange cones.

"My husband thought, hands down, he's probably blown the most snow in the state of North Dakota," she said. "When we found out it was a running race, well, that's a different story."

One of the observers of the race, Mark Erbstoesser, said most people were probably in it for the big prize.

The event seemed to be an unusual one, given the unseasonably warm weather Saturday, said Richard Ouellette.

"I wish there was snow," Ouellette said. "That's what I was hoping for."

Bruce Reidinger, another racer, was satisfied with the weather.

"It's a great day to be outside," he said, "and it's a great day for a race."

Rudy Walker offered some advice to future racers: "You've got to watch it when you're turning the corners," Walker said. "It can be a little tricky."