Pepsi Challenge Cup

Race Information

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, Bennet & Koch Construction, and Cold Snap Technology, wish to extend a warm welcome to all citizen cross-country skiers anticipating the running of the 28th 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 generously provides us office space, but 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 8072 or 218-865-8072.

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.

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 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. There will be new race courses for 2012. Watch for updated maps, which will be available soon.

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.

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.

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.

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 Mar. 7, 2012. 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!

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, Mar. 9, 2012 from Noon to 10:00 p.m. and Saturday, Mar. 10, 2012 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.

Delicious Spaghetti Feed! Join us for a delicious Italian spaghetti and meat sauce dinner-Friday Mar. 9, 2012 - 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!

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.

Bus Service No shuttle bus service will be available. Park in lots at Giants Ridge

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 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.

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 receive 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 in 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.

Start & Finish Location All races will start and finish in the stadium at the Giants Ridge Golf & Ski Resort. Recovery snacks, water, and an indoor heated space is provided for all finishers. Please follow signs for refreshments after the finish line, going to the maintenance building.

Showers Bring your own towel and soap. The Biwabik Park Pavilion showers are available from noon to 6:00 P.M.

Awards

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 Ceremony. If you are unable to attend call Deb Maki 1-800-688-7668 ext 3409 within 10 days to claim your award. There will be no commemorative medallions this year. 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.

Class Prizes - New Age Divisions

10k only: 9 - 11, 12 - 14
50k, 25k & 10k: 15-18, 19-24, 25-34, 35-44,45-54,55-64,65-74, 75 & Over

Calendar of events

Friday – Mar. 9, 2012
Noon – 10:00 pm	Registration and bib pickup at the Biwabik Park Pavilion, Main St, Biwabik
4:00 – 8:00 pm	SPAGHETTI FEED - $7.00 per person – All you can eat – Biwabik Park Pavilion, Main St, Biwabik, MN. Tickets can be purchased at the door.
Saturday – Mar. 10, 2012
7 – 9:00 am	Registration and bib pick up at the Biwabik Park Pavilion No registration is done at Giants Ridge. You must register at the Biwabik Park Pavilion before 9:00 am.
9:30 am	Start of 25K & 50K Classic Races – Mass Start
10:00 am	Start of 25K & 50K Freestyle Races – Gates 1, 2 & 3
10:15 am	Start of 10K Race Gate 4
All races start and finish in the stadium at Giants Ridge Golf & Ski Resort®. No refunds for any reason – including race cancellation. Race course and times are subject to change.
Noon - 6:00 pm	Pea Soup Feed at the Biwabik Park Pavilion. There is no charge for the pea soup feed. There are showers available at the pavilion – bring soap and towel.
3:00 pm	AWARDS CEREMONY – Biwabik Park Pavilion. We should be able to give out the major awards and class prizes at this time. You will be asked to sign for your prize at the Biwabik Park Pavilion.

Eligibility All 50k entrants must be 18 years of age or older as of Mar. 10, 2012. 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.

Notice: 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.

Results Results will be posted at Giants Ridge and at the Biwabik Park Pavilion 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 pea soup feed.
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.

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 8072
or call toll-free 1-800-688-7669 ext 8072
Contact Deb Maki at pepsichallenge@giantsridge.com

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