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The Loppet Foundation :: News & Stories :: “Marathon,” Puoli or Tour Changes Guide

“Marathon,” Puoli or Tour Changes Guide

Thank you for registering for the 2015 City of Lakes Loppet Cross Country Ski Festival. This Guide is specifically for skiers registered for the “Marathon” distance events, the Puoli Loppet or the Tours.

With the changes this weekend we wanted to make sure that you are aware of all the logistics for your big event.

First, adjusted schedules.

Saturday:

  • 9 a.m. – Hoigaard’s Classic
  • 10:30 a.m. – Puoli Loppet Classic
  • 11:30 a.m. – Loppet Tour – Classic

Sunday:

  • 8:30 a.m. – Loppet Skate Marathon – Waves 3 and 4
  • 9:30 a.m. – Loppet Skate Marathon – Waves 1 and 2
  • 10:30 a.m. – Loppet Skate Marathon – Best of the Loppet Wave
  • 11:30 a.m. – Puoli Loppet – Skate
  • 12:30 a.m. – Loppet Tour – Skate

Complete Adjusted Weekend Schedule Here.

Registration and Packet Pickup begin at 7 a.m. each day. Plan to park in the Mortenson Construction parking lot and walk to Wirth Park (about ¼ mile) or park at Optum Health and take a shuttle. Either way, allow about half-hour to get from parking to arrival. We recommend day-before packet pickup. Click here for more information on Registration and Packet Pickup.

We will provide you with a bag tag at packet pickup, but we do not provide bags. Please bring a durable bag for your belongings and affix the bag tag (matched to your bib number) to your bag. We will have a place to check bags during your skiing event. Your bib is your ticket to pick up your bag.

The Hoigaard’s Classic will run five laps on the Hap Lutter Snowmaking Loop. Because of time constraints the Skate Marathon will run four laps. Puoli Loppets three laps. Loppet Tours two laps – but with no tubing hill.

There will likely be some overlap between waves/events – with slower skiers still on the course when the next wave/event starts. Under the circumstances we ask that everyone take a deep breath. Course marshals will help direct traffic and warn slower skiers before the hordes descend so they have a chance to move to the side . . . But this is all fun and we are all skiers so we trust that everyone will use good Loppet judgement . . .

Enduro Section

As planned the course will still have an Enduro section. This year’s Enduro is about 800 meters – with a net downhill. See course map. The intent is to give a time bonus for the best Enduro time for the Minne Tour and Loppet Challenge – but we are still working out the details of that idea because it is a more complicated proposition with 4-5 Enduro times per skier (each skier will get an Enduro time on each lap). But the main thing is to have fun with the Enduro section. After the race you should be able to see if you improved every time, went backwards, or were really slow because that Matt Liebsch guy got in your way . . . And don’t worry, with multiple laps if you have one bad run you will have other chances for the perfect Enduro . . .

Special Hats

Unfortunately the vendor for the hats has not delivered. In the weeks ahead we will be mailing hats to all 10-Year, Founder, Minne Tour and Loppet Challenge participants who registered by December 2. Sorry for the inconvenience there. We are very disappointed.

Check out the Changes Guide or Event Map on the Loppet website for more information and details on the whole event weekend. Bring your family and friends. This may not be the best skier event ever – but it might be the best spectator event ever! Lots going on, including Kubb, ice biking, skijoring, dogsledding, fat tire biking – and even free tubing with a Loppet passport . . .