| 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, Duluth Clinic/St.
Mary's, SMDS Sports Medicine and the Biwabik Area Civic Association, wish
to extend a warm welcome to all citizen cross-country skiers anticipating
the running of the 24th 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.
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Race course
-24K races are more gentle
-10K of new easier trails have been added.
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 24K and 48K races start with the Laurentian
Trail followed by the Silver, Cedar, Oslo and Bronze with the 24K races finishing in
the Stadium. The 48K will then continue on through the Stadium and start another
loop of this course. Race courses
are subject to change. The 48K 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. Trails and race distances are subject to change.
48K Criteria
For new skiers anticipating skiing The Pepsi Challenge race (48K 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, the 2nd 24K is more intense than the
1st 24K.
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 48 kilometers.
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| 48K Classic and 24K Classic Races
The
48K and 24K Classic races will start at 9:00 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 48K or 24K 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 now 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 48K, 24K and 10K races will be accepted after January 12th,
2008. 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 18, 2008 from Noon to 10:00 p.m.
and Saturday, January 19, 2008 from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. Identification
will be required for all 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 ball
dinner-Friday January 18, 2008 - 5:00 P.M.- 8:00 P.M. at the Biwabik
Park Pavilion, hosted by Alden's Restaurant in Biwabik. $7.00
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| Lodging
MAKE LODGING RESERVATIONS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
Information is available by calling Pepsi Race Headquarters at 1-800-688-7669 Ext. 3409 or (218)-865-3000 ext 3409 or on the City
of Biwabik Home page (www.cityofbiwabik.com)
(Biwabik Lodging). Our answering machine is monitored daily for
prompt responses. Contact (www.irontrail.org) click on "where to stay"
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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.
|
| Start Times
9:30 a.m. for the 48K and 24K Classic. 10:00 a.m. for
the 48K, 24K and 10:15 a.m. for the 10K free style races. Subject to change.
Electronic chips will be attached to each skier just before the race. Give yourself enough
time to get to the starting line.
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| Start Postition Criteria
*For freestyle race only-24k and 48K. To
avoid extreme congestion, 3 partitioned start gates will be used and assigned
according to your finish time from previous Pepsi or Birkie races. ONLY
THESE RACES WILL BE USED! TO RECEIVE A FAIR START POSITION, PLEASE INCLUDE
YOUR FINISH TIME ON THE REGISTRATION ENTRY FORM. PLEASE GIVE THE TIME AS
WELL AS THE YEAR OF THE RACE BEING USED. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A TIME, PLEASE
GIVE A CONSERVATIVE ESTIMATED FINISH TIME. YOU MUST STAY IN YOUR ASSIGNED
GATE. PLEASE BE HONEST AND STAY IN YOUR DESIGNATED WAVE-DO NOT JUMP AHEAD. There will be official
checkers.
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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
All finishers will receive a
commemorative
medallion. Class prizes will be
given to the top three (3) male and female finishers in each age division
in the 48K, 24K 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 18, 2008 Noon-10 p.m. Registration and bib pickup at the Pavilion in Biwabik
Friday
Jan 18, 2008 - 5 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 19, 2008 - 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 19, 2008 - 9:30 a.m. 24K and 48K Classic starts at Giants Ridge
Sat. Jan 19, 2008 - 10:00 a.m. 24K, 48K (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
19, 2008 - 5:00 p.m. -Awards Banquet-Hoyt Lakes Arena. Pasty feed-$10.00 per adult and $7.00
for kids. 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
Friday Jan 18, 2008 -6
pm- Kinderlauf (kid's race) at Giants Ridge, hosted by MN
Youth Ski League. This race is open to all kids through the age of 14. Distance of the races are:
100M, 300M, 1K and 3K. Register at the Giants Ridge Timing Building in the stadium before the race. This is a great chance
for our youth to get a taste of XC ski
racing. The race is subject to
weather conditions. Registration 5:00 p.m. Timing Bldg. Stadium.
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| Eligibility
All
48K entrants must be 18 years of age or older as of January 19, 2008.
There is no restriction on age for the 10K or 24K races, but children under
18 years of age must have the application form signed by a parent or
guardian.
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Results
Results will be posted at Giants Ridge and at the Awards Banquet on race day. Our 24K and 48K races qualify for the 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 training 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 48K 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, (218) 865 3000
ext 3409 or Giants Ridge 1-800-688-7669 Ext.3409. Contact Deb 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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