East Range Cross Country Challenges, Inc. and our communities of Biwabik, Aurora, Hoyt Lakes and the Town of White, with the aid of Pepsi, Great River Energy, Giants Ridge, Honey Stinger, Rossignol, WDIO TV, Biwabik Area Civic Association, FITS® Socks, American Ski Marathon Series, Minnesota Power, Lakehead Constructors, Bennett & Koch Construction, and Cold Snap Technology, wish to extend a warm welcome to all citizen cross-country skiers anticipating the running of the 38th 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 for the last celebration of the ski season and experience the "Challenge" and "Rush" with us. You'll be glad you did!
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. Registration is at the South Chalet at Giants Ridge only, approximately 5 miles east of Biwabik near the start of the races.
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 or email pepsichallenge@giantsridge.com.
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 8K 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.
The 50K and 25K 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 50K or 25K Classic races, be very careful that you mark which race you are entering.
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.
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 8K races will be accepted after
February 26, 2023. Race registrations are not taken over the phone.
U.S. Funds only and No Credit Cards are accepted. No Refunds Allowed.
Registration in the South Chalet at Giants Ridge only!
BIB PICKUP & LATE REGISTRATION Bibs and information packets will be available for pickup at the South Chalet at Giants Ridge on the lower level, Friday, March 3, 2023 from 2:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Saturday, March 4, 2023 from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. Identification will be required for bib pickups.
LOCAL PLACES TO STAY
General Information will be offered – it will be up to you to call or email 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
Look through our lodging page to 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.
No shuttle bus service will be available.
Clothing bags will be provided at the clothing tent and kept in front of The Lodge at Giants Ridge. Make sure you write your name and bib # on your clothing bag. There will be a fenced in area. You can pick up your bag after the race at that location. Look for the "Bag Drop" sign in the stadium start area.
| 9:00 am | 25K & 50K Classic – Mass Start | |
| 9:30 am | 50K Freestyle – Mass Start | |
| 9:40 am | 25K Freestyle – Mass Start | |
| 9:50 am | 8K Race Start | |
All races start and finish in the stadium at Giants Ridge Golf & Ski Resort®. | ||
Participant Luncheon – 11:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. – a complimentary lunch ticket per skier is included in the racer registration packet. Please bring your lunch ticket to luncheon at the Giants Ridge South Chalet. Lunch tickets for any friends and relatives can be purchased in advance only. Price per additional lunch tickets is $15.00, children 6 and under $5.00. You will be able to order additional tickets on your on-line or mail-in registration forms. February 27, 2023 is the cut-off date for ordering extra lunches. No additional lunch tickets will be available at Registration or on the day of the race.
No offsite Beverages containing alcohol are allowed in the South Chalet.
No awards will be given out before the race results have been confirmed. Please allow yourself time to patiently wait for your awards. If there are any protests or timing issues, no major awards will be given out before 2:00 p.m.
2:00 p.m. – Awards Ceremony – South Chalet at Giants Ridge. Overall Champions are acknowledged at this time . Top 3 class prizes will be given as a majority of results are certified (undisputed) , beginning with the 8K at approximately 12:00 PM.
At the Luncheon – In order to keep the aisles clear, we ask that you bring your ski bag into the South Chalet, to change your clothes, etc. – please take your bag out to your vehicle or put up against the walls so that they are not blocking or impeding the movement of the lunch crowd. We are not responsible for any lost items or ski bags. Make sure your ski equipment and bag make it to your vehicle.
Top three overall finishers of each race will receive a prize. Class prizes will be given to the top three (3) male and female finishers in each age division in the 50K, 25K and 8K races.
Class prizes for 25K and 50K races will be FITS® socks. Class prizes for 8K race will be a Giants Ridge prize.
| 8K only: | 9-11, | 12-14, | 15-18, | 19-24, | 25-34, | 35-44, | 45-54, | 55-64, | 65-74, | 75 & Over |
| 25K: | 13-14, | 15-18, | 19-24, | 25-34, | 35-44, | 45-54, | 55-64, | 65-74, | 75 & Over | |
| 50K: | 16-18, | 19-24, | 25-34, | 35-44, | 45-54, | 55-64, | 65-74, | 75 & Over |
All 50K entrants must be 16 years of age or older as of March 4, 2023.
All 25K entrants must be 13 years of age or older. No exceptions on race ages.
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 in the 8K race. Children skiing with a parent must be a paid registered skier and legally in the race. This race is not free and open to the public.
| Friday – March 3, 2023 | |
| 2:00 – 9:00 p.m. | Registration and bib pickup South Chalet at Giants Ridge, 6329 Wynne Creek Drive, Biwabik MN 55708 |
| Saturday – March 4, 2023 | |
| 7 – 9:00 a.m. | Bib pick up only lower level at Giants Ridge South Chalet
You must register before 9:00 a.m. |
| 9:00 am | 25K & 50K Classic – Mass Start |
| 9:30 am | 50K Freestyle – Mass Start |
| 9:40 am | 25K Freestyle – Mass Start |
| 9:50 am | 8K Race Start |
| 11:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. | Participant Luncheon – See details above. |
| 2:00 p.m. | Awards Ceremony – See details above. |
All races start and finish in the stadium at Giants Ridge Golf & Ski Resort®. |
|
Results will be posted at Giants Ridge South Chalet on race day. Our 25K and 50K races qualify for the Korte & American Birkebeiner Race next year. Results will be posted on-line at www.superiortiming.com and at www.skinnyski.com.
For more information and/or registration call or write:
Pepsi Challenge Cup Race HeadquartersPlease enclose proper fees, with the entry form and mail to the address above. NO REFUNDS WILL BE ALLOWED. US FUNDS ONLY! MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO ERCCCI. CHARGE CARDS ARE NOT ACCEPTED
