| Experience the challenge!
East Range Cross Country Challenges, Inc. and our
communities of Biwabik, Aurora, Hoyt Lakes and the Town of White, with the
aid of Pepsi, Minnesota Power, Great River Energy, UPS, ToKo, Range 11, Hammer Nutrition
and the Biwabik Area Civic Association, wish
to extend a warm welcome to all citizen cross-country skiers anticipating
the running of the 26th Annual Pepsi Challenge Cup Race. With the help of
you, our skiing friends, we expect to make this year's event the best
ever! So, come to Minnesota's beautiful Iron Range and experience our
"Challenge". You'll be glad you did! |
| Location
Biwabik, Minnesota is easy to find! Located on the Iron Range just three hours north of the Twin Cities, or just
one hour north of Duluth on Highway 135. |
|
Office Location Giants Ridge has generously given us
office space. The ERCCCI board and its volunteers still organize the race.
Call Giants Ridge and ask for Deb Maki or race headquarters.
1-800-688-7669 Ext.3409 or 218-865-3000 ext 3409. |
| Fun for the Whole Family
Bring your whole family! A full weekend of
cross-country skiing and related events have been planned to please all
ages. All children under the age of 9 years must ski with an adult.
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Race course
An exciting course has been designed to provide
a pleasant experience for skiers of all levels. All races start and end
at Giants Ridge in front of The Lodge and are spectator friendly. At the
start there is 1K of wide open skiing (at
least 6 across) before ascending ancient over burden mountains and descending into beautiful
scenic wood lands. The 25k and 50k races start with the Laurentian
Trail followed by the Silver, Cedar, Oslo and Bronze with the 25k races finishing in
the Stadium. The 50k will then continue on through the Stadium and start another
loop of this course. Race courses
are subject to change. The 50k challenges the more daring skiers on the
famous World Cup and Olympic training trails, before completion in the
stadium in
front of the Lodge. The 10k race is perfect for beginners to intermediate and
the course will lap through the Stadium twice.
The entire race course is groomed to provide excellent conditions for
both skaters and traditional skiers. Feed stations are provided
approximately every 8k. Gatorade and water available. Trails and race distances are subject to change.
50k Criteria
For new skiers anticipating skiing The Pepsi Challenge race (50k Freestyle) for the first time
here are some tips to help you decide if the race is for you.
1. It is called the Pepsi Challenge because it is a challenge.
2. In order to finish this race before the cut-off
times: You should be able to ski approximately for 4 hours straight. This
will be about 5 to 5.5 minute per "K" (kilometer). You should be able to
ski one kilometer in five minutes for 50 kilometers.
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| 50k Classic and 25k Classic Races
The
50k and 25k Classic races will start at 9:30 a.m., giving those who love
to classic ski a chance to get out there on their own. This is a ski on
your honor race and only the classic style will be acceptable-- no
skating. When filling out the registration form for the 50k or 25k Classic
races, be very careful that you mark which race you are entering.
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| American Ski Marathon Series
The Pepsi Challenge is a member of the ASM Series. This series is
North America's longest-running and largest citizen's racing and touring
series, featuring 17 premier ski marathons and winter festivals stretching
from Vermont to Alaska.
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| Registration
All
entries must be on official registration forms and be accompanied by the
appropriate fee outlined in the brochure. Please note there is a discount
structure if registrations are sent in before deadline dates. No changes
between the 50k, 25k and 10k races will be accepted after January 16th,
2010. Race registrations are not taken over the phone. U.S. Funds only and
No Credit Cards are accepted. No Refunds Allowed. Registration at Biwabik Park Pavilion only!
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| Registration Location
BIB PICKUP & LATE REGISTRATION Bibs and information packets will be
available for pickup at the BIWABIK PARK PAVILION, located in the park on
Main Street in Biwabik, Friday, January 22, 2010 from Noon to 10:00 p.m.
and Saturday, January 23, 2010 from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. Identification
will be required for bib pickups. Do not try to register at Giants
Ridge the day of the race; you must register at the Biwabik Park Pavilion.
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| Delicious Spaghetti Feed!
Join us for a delicious Italian spaghetti and meat sauce dinner-Friday January 22, 2010 - 4:00 P.M.- 8:00 P.M. at the Biwabik Park Pavilion, hosted by Alden's Restaurant in Biwabik. $7.00 All you can eat!
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Lodging
LOCAL PLACES TO STAY
General Information will be offered – it will be up to you to call or e-mail these businesses and get the information that you need. All hotels/motels will be listed with www.ironrange.org – please check out that website for their general info.
General Lodging Information
Find out about your lodging options, including information about
group lodging, bed and breakfast locations, and a list of local hotels.
MAKE LODGING RESERVATIONS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
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| Bus Service
No shuttle bus service will be available. Park in lots at Giants Ridge
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| Baggage
Clothing bags will be provided and
transported from the start of the race to the maintenance building near
the post race feed. Look for the "Bag Drop" sign in the stadium start area.
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| Start Times
9:30 a.m. for the 50k and 25k Classic. 10:00 a.m. for
the 50k, 25k and 10:15 a.m. for the 10k free style races. Subject to change.
Electronic chips can be picked up at the chip booth in the ski sradium before the race. Give yourself enough time to get to the starting line.
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| Start Postition Criteria
For freestyle race only-25k and 50k. To
avoid extreme congestion, three partitioned start gates will be used and assigned
according to your finish time from previous Pepsi or Birkie races. To recieve a fair start position,
please include your previous finish time on the registration entry form. We only need an estimated time
of finish for those skiing the 25k and 50k Freestyle races. If you do not have a time, please give a conservative estimated finish time.
The 50k and 25k Freestyle racers are in the first 3 gates at 10:00 a.m. If you have not been in the top 30% of a Pepsi Challenge in the last three years, please bring documentation from the Birkie or another
race that shows you were in the top 30% of your race. Even if you were a 1st wave Birkie skier, you might not
qualify for our Gate 1. We do not have an elite wave, so they are on our 1st gate. Our gates have
approximately 100 skiers in each; therefore we cannot accomodate all wave 1 Birkie skiers. It will go by time.
All classic skiers will do a mass start at 9:30 a.m. All 10k skiers will be in Gate 4. You must stay in your correct gates.
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| Start & Finish Location
All
races will start and finish in the stadium at the Giants Ridge Golf &
Ski Resort. Recovery snacks, water, pea soup, and an indoor heated space
is provided for all finishers. Please follow signs for refreshments after
the finish line, going to the maintenance building.
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| Showers
Bring your own towel and soap. The
Biwabik Park Pavilion showers are available from noon to 4:00 P.M.
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| Awards
Finishers will receive a
commemorative
medallion while supplies last. Class prizes will be
given to the top three (3) male and female finishers in each age division
in the 50k, 25k and 10k races. Awards are handed out at the Awards
Banquet. If you are unable to attend call Deb Maki 1-800-688-7668 ext 3409
within 10 days to claim your award. Please do not assume your trophy or
class prize will be shipped to you. You must request your award within 10
days of the race.
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Calendar of events
Friday Jan 22, 2010 Noon - 10 p.m. Registration and bib pickup at the Pavilion in Biwabik
Friday Jan 22, 2010 4 p.m. - 8 p.m. Spaghetti Feed-All you can eat- at the Pavilion in Biwabik.
Tickets can be purchased at the door. $7.00 each
Sat. Jan 23, 2010 7 a.m.- 9 a.m. Registration and
bib pickup at the Pavilion in Biwabik. No registration is done at Giants Ridge. You must register at the
Biwabik Park Pavilion before 9 a.m.
Sat. Jan 23, 2010 9:30 a.m. 25k and 50k Classic starts at Giants Ridge
Sat. Jan 23, 2010 10:00 a.m. 25k, 50k (Freestyle) 10k (10:15) races start at Giants Ridge
All races start and finish in the stadium at Giants Ridge Golf & Ski Resort
Sat. Jan 23, 2010 - 5:00 p.m. -Awards Banquet-Hoyt Lakes Arena. Pasty feed-$10.00 per adult, $8.00 per child (ages 6 to 18), 5 and under free.
Advance banquet tickets can be reserved by writing the number of tickets desired in the space provided on the entry form. Send banquet fees along with your entry. Awards, food, drink (free Pepsi and beer), door prizes and live music-it's great fun! Come and join us.
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Kinderlauf
MYSL Kinderlauf (kid's race) will be held on Sunday, January 24th, 2010, at 2:00 pm in the Stadium at Giants Ridge.
Registration will be at the Giants Ridge Timing Building in the Stadium starting at 1:00 p.m.
This race is open to all kids through the age of 14. This is a great chance for our youth to get a taste of XC ski racing. The race is subject to
weather conditions.
Distances of the races are: 100m, 300m, 1K and 2½K. Price of the race is $5.00. Young skiers are welcome!
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Eligibility
All 50k entrants must be 18 years of age or older as of January 23, 2010.
There is no restriction on age for the 10k or 25k races, but children under 18 years of age must have the application form signed by a parent or guardian.
New This Year!
- All children under the age of 9 years must ski with an adult (18 years or older). This is a safety issue and will be enforced.
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Results
Results will be posted at Giants Ridge and at the Awards Banquet on race day.
Our 25k and 50k races qualify for the Korte & American Birkebeiner Race. Results are also sent to the Birkie office as soon as possible for those wishing to qualify for the Birkie. Results will be posted on-line at www.itiming.com and at
www.skinnyski.com.
Results will be posted at Giants Ridge at the following locations:
Outside timing building
Outside maint. building-post race feed station
You must check your time to make sure it is
correct! There is a 30 minute protest period after the race. You must
protest at the timing building to the timing officials. It is too late to
protest at the ski banquet.
If you do not finish the
correct distance race that you registered for, report to official in the
timing bldg. For example, if you drop out of the 50k race -
you must report to the timing bldg.
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| Additional Information
For more information and/or registration call or write:
Pepsi Challenge Cup Race Headquarters
P.O. Box 505
Biwabik MN, 55708-0505
Giants Ridge local (218) 865 3000 ext 3409
or call toll-free 1-800-688-7669 ext 3409
Contact Deb Maki at pepsichallenge@giantsridge.com
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| Fees and conditions
Please enclose proper fees, with the entry form and
mail to the address above. No confirmation cards will be sent. NO REFUNDS
WILL BE ALLOWED. US FUNDS ONLY! MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO ERCCCI. CHARGE
CARDS ARE NOT ACCEPTED
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