People skate on the frozen Keizersgracht canal in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2012. Volunteers poured onto frozen rivers and lakes in the northern Netherlands on Tuesday to shovel away snow that is one of the major hurdles in the way of a grueling speedskating race called Elfstedentocht, or 11 Cities Tour being held for the first time in 15 years. (AP Photo/Margriet Faber)
People skate on the frozen Keizersgracht canal in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2012. Volunteers poured onto frozen rivers and lakes in the northern Netherlands on Tuesday to shovel away snow that is one of the major hurdles in the way of a grueling speedskating race called Elfstedentocht, or 11 Cities Tour being held for the first time in 15 years. (AP Photo/Margriet Faber)
People skate under a moon-lit sky on Prinsengracht canal in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Tuesday Feb. 7, 2012. Volunteers poured onto frozen rivers and lakes in the northern Netherlands on Tuesday to shovel away snow that is one of the major hurdles in the way of a grueling "Elfstedentocht", or 11 cities tour, a speed skating race being held for the first time in 15 years. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)
Citizens skate on the frozen De Luts river in Balk, Netherlands, Tuesday Feb. 7, 2012. Volunteers poured onto frozen rivers and lakes in the northern Netherlands on Tuesday to shovel away snow that is one of the major hurdles in the way of a grueling speed skating race called Elfstedentocht, or 11 Cities Tour being held for the first time in 15 years. (AP Photo/Vincent Jannink)
Skaters pass volunteers who shovel away snow from the frozen Holkenmeer or Holken lake in Gallemadammen, Netherlands, Tuesday Feb. 7, 2012. Volunteers poured onto frozen rivers and lakes in the northern Netherlands on Tuesday to shovel away snow that is one of the major hurdles in the way of a grueling speed skating race called Elfstedentocht, or 11 Cities Tour being held for the first time in 15 years. (AP Photo/Vincent Jannink)
Volunteer Sjoerd Swart, background left, shovels away snow from the ice as skaters pass in Oudemirdum, Netherlands, Tuesday Feb. 7, 2012. Volunteers poured onto frozen rivers and lakes in the northern Netherlands on Tuesday to shovel away snow that is one of the major hurdles in the way of a grueling speed skating race called Elfstedentocht, or 11 Cities Tour being held for the first time in 15 years. (AP Photo/Vincent Jannink)
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) ? Dutch troops are joining a race against time to prepare ice for a legendary 125-mile (200 kilometer) race across frozen waterways in the northern Netherlands that could be staged for the first time in 15 years.
Defense Ministry spokesman Peter Grotens says a group of 50 soldiers is shoveling snow along a possible alternative route in case ice on part of the traditional track of the Elfstedentocht, or 11 Cities Tour, is too weak to support the 16,000 skaters who would take part if organizers stage the race.
Grotens said Wednesday the troops are stationed nearby and volunteered to help.
The Frisian Eleven Cities Association that organizes the event is meeting Wednesday night to discuss whether the ice is strong enough for the race.
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