Schedule

• 7:30 am: Coaches Meeting/Bib Pick-up – Inside Trailhead
• 7:45 am: Volunteers report to finish line

Schedule is subject to change depending on conditions. All events below will start and finish in lower stadium near the Trailhead building/parking lot.

• 8:30 am: Girls Semifinal Sprint Relay – Heat 1
• 8:50 am: Girls Semifinal Sprint Relay – Heat 2
• 9:20 am: Boys Semifinal Sprint Relay – Heat 1
• 9:40 am: Boys Semifinal Sprint Relay – Heat 2
• 10:00 am: Boys 5K Classic (three waves, one minute apart)
• 10:05 am: Girls 5K Classic (three waves, one minute apart)
• 10:30 am: Boys 5K Skate (three waves, one minute apart)
• 10:35 am: Girls 5K Skate (three waves, one minute apart)
• 11:00 am: Girls Sprint Relay Finals
• 11:20 am: Boys Sprint Relay Finals
• 11:45 am: Awards (as soon as results available)

* The relay technique (classic or skate) will match the state technique in that given year.

Venue

Directions: The Trailhead 1221 Theodore Wirth Parkway

Please note: Courses may be dependent on natural snow and ongoing progress on the snowmaking loop. We will strive to keep all teams apprised of our trail conditions. Courses described below are considered tentative.

Course Map: Loppet Invite 2026 Google Map

Sprint Relay Course

Out of the lower stadium, around the roundabout, up to Coaches Corner and head back down to Jim’s Hill and around to the finish. Note: We have decided to keep this long-standing course (sections course may be slightly longer).

5K Skate/Classic Course Information

Possible Course: Twin Lakes loop, come back towards the stadium and go up the Ridgeline Trail and do LaSquadra. Return on Ridgeline Trail to stadium. We will try to get two tracks placed where it makes sense. It will not be best line.

Theodore Wirth Park / Loppet Foundation Fluoro Policy Info »

Trail Passes

• Any teams skiing the course before or after Saturday must purchase passes for all skiers and coaches.
• Racers displaying their bibs do not need to display a ski pass on Saturday. All other skiers must be displaying a ski pass.

The Trailhead and Team Tents

Teams must set up camp outside along the south and west end of the stadium. The back portion of the Trailhead will be available for teams/athletes to warm up and leave some small items. Each team will be assigned one table in the space provided. Please do not encroach on other team’s tables/space. The cubbies along the walls are also available for use. The Trailhead is open to the public. Please remind your athletes to be considerate of other users.

• Additional toilets will be provided outside.
• Waxing must be done at team tents set up near the Lower Stadium start/finish area.
• Food
  • CROCKPOTS/SMALL APPLIANCES MAY NOT be plugged in or served from inside The Trailhead
  • Sack lunches and snacks can be stored in team areas in the Lower Stadium then eaten inside while racers warm up.
  • Food from outside restaurants must be delivered, stored and consumed outside

Individual Races

• 3 racers entered for individual 5K Skate.
• 3 racers entered for individual 5K Classic.
• Each mass start race will have three wave starts with one minute between each wave. Place one skier in wave 1, one skier in wave 2, and one skier in wave 3.

Sprint Relay Race

• Each team will enter two relays with two skiers each (4 skiers total per school team).
• There will be two semi-final heats for both boys and girls. Each school will have one relay in each heat.
• The top two relay teams from each semi-final heat automatically qualify for finals. The next six fastest relays advance by time to the finals.
• The relay technique (classic or skate) will match the state meet in that given year.

Team Scoring

The team score is determined by each team’s top two 5K Skate finishers, top two 5K Classic finishers and top relay team. For the 5K races, the point values will begin at 60 points for first place, 59 for second place, 58 points for third place, etc. For the relays, the point values will begin at 119 points and descend by three points for each successive place, i.e. 119 points for first place, 116 points for second place, 113 points for third place, etc. Non-scoring individuals, as well as relays, will hold their finish place, and bump other individuals or teams down in place. Note that relays that don’t make the finals are still scored by time. A team’s total score is the sum of their 5K Skate, 5K Classic and relay scores.

Bus Drop Off & Pick Up

Please note the following policy regarding buses:

• Pre-Meet Dropoff – Buses may drop off teams in the one-way circle in front of The Trailhead (1221 Theodore Wirth Pkwy)
• During the Meet – Buses must park off-site (away from The Trailhead and Wirth Chalet) until Post-Meet Pickup
• Post-Meet Pickup – Buses must pick up teams in the Wirth Chalet parking lot (1301 Theodore Wirth Pkwy) at the end of the meet. 5 minute walk from Trailhead. Please do not park in front of the Trailhead for pickup.

Please instruct buses to return at 12:30pm (or time of your choice) to pick up teams at the Chalet.