The Mayor’s XC Ski Challenge is a competitive ski race for skiers ages U12 to U20 and is part of the Youth/Junior Cup event series in 2025, which is governed by Central Cross-Country Skiing (CXC). The Mayor’s XC Ski Challenge is one of the four Salomon CXC Cup qualifier races for the Junior National Nordic Ski Championships in Soldier Hollow, UT on March 8-10, 2025. The Mayor’s XC Ski Challenge races will be held on Saturday, January 25th, and Sunday, January 26th, at Theodore Wirth Park in Minneapolis, MN.
This event is a Super CXC Cup Event and will score results on the Midwest and Great Lakes Divisional Ranking List, FIS and the National Ranking List (NRL). This CXC Cup event is sanctioned by the U.S. Ski & Snowboard: current 2024-25 Cross Country General or Competitor U16+ membership required to enter a race. Only competitors with the Competitor U16+ membership will score points on the National Ranking List (NRL). Midwest and Great Lakes Divisional Ranking Lists are used for the Midwest and Great Lakes Junior National Team qualification. Competitors with FIS license will be scored on the FIS ranking list.
CXC Youth Cup
This CXC Youth Cup event will score results on the Midwest and Great Lakes Divisional Ranking List. No membership is required to participate. However, competitors with Youth General membership will be provided points and preferential race seeding based on points and ranking.
CXC Youth Cup Midwest and Great Lakes Divisional Ranking Lists are used for the Dream Camp qualification. The U14 skiers who finish in the top 5 on the Divisional Ranking List will earn a spot at Dream Camp.
CXC Adaptive Cup
To include more diverse racers and participants in the sport of cross-country skiing, CXC is hosting a race series where athletes with physical disabilities and visual impairments have the opportunity to ski with their peers.
The CXC Adaptive Cup is sanctioned and scored by Central Cross Country Skiing (CXC) and U.S. Ski & Snowboard and features a series of events in Minnesota and Michigan. Participating athletes (ages 20 and under) learn how to progress through the competitive skiing pipeline with the support of friends, families, clubs, and race organizers.
Adaptive categories:
1. Sit skier
2. Standing adaptive skier
3. Visually impaired (VI) skier
There is the option to specify the classification of the adaptive skier in the chosen category based on the International Paralympic Committee’s Paralympic classification system and time factors. Choosing the class will allow the athlete to receive a time factor on their final result time..
All standing and visually impaired skiers will be fully integrated into the main race field with non-adaptive athletes. Visually impaired athletes are allowed to ski with a guide in front of them and have the option of using a voice amplifier. Standing and VI athletes will be seeded based on FIS/U.S. Ski & Snowboard and/or Regional Ranking list. If the athlete does not yet have points, they will start at or near the back of the field. Keep in mind any standing or VI adaptive athlete can register for the race and choose not to register as an adaptive athlete if they wish not to receive a time factor.
Sit skiers will compete on a course designed specifically for them and start at their own specified time.
Results and awards will be provided for skiers in the three adaptive categories, separated into male and female divisions. In addition, standing and VI athlete results will also be integrated into the overall results.
Livestream and Key Info
Participant Information
Coach/Parent Information
Other Information
- Discounted hotel rates: LOPPET Foundation Preferred Rates – Ramada Minneapolis Golden Valley
- Must book hotel through link above to get preferred rates
- Volunteer Information
- Contact Us
Venue Access / Spectators
Only racers and credentialed coaches, race staff, and volunteers are allowed in the start/finish area and on the course. Non-athletes are not permitted to ski, run, or walk on the course.
General Trailhead Use:
- Building is open to the athletes and the public during the race event.
- The Trailhead remains open to the public. Please be considerate of limited space.
- Bags & Gear
- Skiers SHOULD NOT STORE BAGS OR EQUIPMENT inside the Trailhead. Athletes can come in to warm up. All gear and equipment must go out with athletes and be stored in team areas in the Lower Stadium or Athlete Village.
- Glitter
- Glitter should be applied outside the Trailhead. We want everyone to look awesome on race day, but it gets everywhere and stays for a very long time. Please keep this in mind when gearing up for race days. We recommend compostable glitter.
- Bathrooms
- There are limited bathroom facilities in the Trailhead. Athletes are encouraged to use the outdoor porta toilets in the parking lot and the stadium.
- CROCKPOTS/SMALL APPLIANCES ARE NOT ALLOWED at the Trailhead.
- Sack lunches, snacks and beverages must be stored and distributed in team areas in the Lower Stadium. Racers may then bring that food inside to eat as they warm up. This is the option we recommend to help keep your athletes well fueled for their races.
- Food from outside restaurants, if using, must be delivered, stored and distributed outside to a team. Racers may then bring that food inside to eat as they warm up.
- Mill Valley Market, our concessionaire at the Trailhead, will be open during race days but will have limited ability to serve everyone during the short breaks throughout a race day.
Register
REGISTER HERE (for JNQ races) BY CLICKING THE LINK
* Online Registration Deadline: Tuesday, Jan 21, 2025 at 10:00 PM CT
** For Open Division Citizen 10K register through this link
For questions about the CXC Adaptive/Youth/Junior cup, please contact CXC at info@cxcskiing.org or call (608) 294-0433.
In accordance with U.S. Ski and Snowboard sanctioning requirements, all (U16 and over) must have a current U.S. Ski & Snowboard membership to enter and compete.
Timing chip: By registering, you agree that if you fail to return your timing transponder after the race to an appropriate race official, you will pay a fee of $75 to replace the transponder.
Lodging: All Loppet visitors can get a discounted room rate: LOPPET Foundation Preferred Rates – Ramada Minneapolis Golden Valley. Must book rooms through link above to get preferred rates.
Registration and transaction fees are non-refundable, including in the event of delay, rescheduling, or cancellation of an event or program. An event or program registration is not transferable to another person or another event for any reason, including injury. Participating under another person's name will result in disqualification.
A Note About the Data We Collect
Proceeds from the Mayor's Challenge benefit the Loppet Foundation. Learn more about the Foundation's mission, vision, and values.
Required licenses:
Junior (U16-U20): CXC Junior Cup. A valid U.S. Ski & Snowboard General or Competitor Membership is required to participate.
Youth: (12 – U14): No membership is required to participate. However, competitors with Youth General membership will be provided points and preferential race seeding based on points and ranking.
Adaptive:
Ages 7 -13: No membership is required.
Ages 14 and older: A valid U.S. Ski & Snowboard General Membership or Cross Country Adaptive Competitor Membership is required. For preferential race seeding and to earn U.S. Ski and Snowboard NRL ranking points, a Cross Country Adaptive Competitor Membership is required.
Age classes:
U.S. Ski & Snowboard Cross Country Age Classifications
| Category | Age | Year of Birth |
| U20 | 18 – 19 | 2005 – 2006 |
| U18 | 16 – 17 | 2007 – 2008 |
| U16 | 14 – 15 | 2009 – 2010 |
| U14 | 12 – 13 | 2011 – 2012 |
| U12 | 10 – 11 | 2013 – 2014 |
FIS Age Classes
FIS Class Age
FIS Junior Up to 19 years on December 31 of the current competition season
FIS Senior All competitors over the age limit for Juniors
Volunteer
Volunteers are needed in a number of areas! Volunteer sign up coming soon!
Contact volunteer@loppet.org for more information.
Schedule & Start Lists
Schedule & Start Lists
2025 Schedule (click link to see detail)
This is a preliminary schedule and is subject to change. All times are approximate and are subject to final registration numbers.
Entry & Start Lists will be linked here.
The official entry list will be available Friday evening the week of the event. Athletes are responsible for ensuring they have been registered for the proper event and that all their information is accurate. Start lists will be posted when available from Superior Timing:
Maps + Distances
Parking
Parking for athletes, coaches, and families will be at the Mortenson parking lots (700 Meadow Lane and 4100 Olson Memorial Highway, Golden Valley, MN 55422).
Wax Facilities
The Trailhead venue will follow all US Ski and Snowboard regulations. Fluorocarbon waxes are NOT allowed at the Mayor’s Challenge per FIS and US Ski and Snowboard.
The Central Region will enforce the following new FIS waxing Rules, focusing on the italicized below:
325.2.4- During the sprint finals (Quarterfinals through finals) no waxing of skis allowed.
343.12.7- Waxing, structuring or cleaning of the competitor’s skis bases during the competition is forbidden.
It is not allowed to place branches, tools or materials on or adjacent to the groomed course.
Ski exchange during the heats is not allowed.
US Ski and Snowboard has determined that for this season Regions/Districts must establish their own protocol for implementation of these rules. Central will have no corrals for controlling skis during the sprint heats. Athletes and coaches will follow normal corridors and movement as set out by the organizers. The Central Region implementation will be based on the honor system while still allowing for potential sanctions using the FIS rule regarding following the direction of the Jury or following FIS rules.
Space for teams and ski equipment suppliers will be made available at no charge throughout the event beginning at 8:00 A.M. Friday, January 24. Two waxing location options are available as detailed below. Teams may register for either, both, or none of the options below:
South Trailhead Parking Lot
The South Parking Lot near to the Trailhead building will be reserved and a portion set up as an Athlete’s Village. This space is adjacent to the start/finish stadium across a road. Space will be available for teams to set up tents, small trucks, or trailers as needed (within space limitations). Teams must supply their own tables, power, and any other needed supplies. Electricity for waxing will not be available in this area. South Parking Lot space will be available by advanced reservation only. See registration information below.
On-Snow Outdoor Wax Stations
We will again have outdoor space available on the south and west sides of the start/finish stadium. Space will be available for teams to set up tents as desired. Electrical service will be provided for up to 10 stations on a first come, first served basis. Teams must supply their own tables, tents, extension cords and any other needed supplies. If you plan to set up on the snow in the stadium, please register as noted below.
Branded Tents and Feather Flags
Ski teams are welcome to have branded tents and flags at their assigned waxing stations as part of their complimentary waxing space.
Ski race suppliers, ski shops, and waxing support services are welcome to have branded tents and flags at their assigned waxing stations as part of their Loppet sponsorship. Please contact sponsorship@loppet.org regarding your sponsorship.
Ski race suppliers, ski shops, and waxing support services choosing not to be sponsors are welcome to assigned waxing space at no charge. We respectfully request you do not display branded tent or flags. Thank you for your cooperation.
Register for Wax Station Space by January 1
To allow us to prepare and plan for an orderly and efficient athlete village layout, it is imperative that each team, business, or organization who will need space register at the following link. Please register for waxing space as soon as possible, but no later than January 1, 2025.
Click Here to register your team/business/organization for waxing space.
Actual space assignments will be made by the Loppet and will be communicated to teams prior to the event.
Contact John Daniels at daniels.j55@gmail.com with any wax area questions.
Results & Photos
Please note that Mayor’s Challenge did not take place in 2024 due to the Loppet Cup.
2023 Results
2022 Results
2021 Results
2020 Results
2019 Results
Photos
- f/go Photo Coverage
- Skinnyski.com – Senior Classic
- Skinnyski.com – U20/U18 Classic
- Skinnyski.com – U16 Classic
- Skinnyski.com – Freestyle
- Reese Brown – Sprint Heats
- tmbimages – Sprints
2017 Results
- Saturday Searchable Results
- Sunday Searchable Results
- Saturday – U18M-U20M Sprint Finals
- Saturday – U18F-U20F Sprint Finals
- Saturday – U10-U14 SkiX
- Sunday – U10-U16 Final Results
- Sunday – U18-U20 Final Results
2016 Results
2015 Results
2012 Results
Mayor's Challenge Volunteer Contacts
Local Organizing Committee (LOC) Chair: Mike Bono, mbono2411@gmail.com
LOC Chief of Competition: Doug DeBold, ddebold56@gmail.com
Chief of Course: Craig Rudd/Craig Jarvinen
Chief of Course Control: Gary Maher
Chief of Start: Kim Boyce
Race Secretary: Amy Cichanowski (amycich@gmail.com)
US Ski and Snowboard Technical Delegate: Bob Cook
US Ski and Snowboard Assistant TD: Thomas Shaw
Loppet Staff: Kelly Donahue, events@loppet.org
Online Registration Questions: CXC (info@cxcskiing.org ) or (608) 294-0433
The Loppet Foundation
1221 Theodore Wirth Parkway
Minneapolis, MN 55422
info@loppet.org
612-604-5330
Sponsorship:
sponsorship@loppet.org
