A Northland winter sports institution will reach a milestone this weekend.
The 30th annual Pepsi Challenge cross-country ski race will be held Saturday at Giants Ridge near Biwabik. Starting as a town-to-town ski jaunt three decades ago, and now a collection of several races held at Giants Ridge, the event has endured -- with several hundred participants expected this year.
"It's always been known to be a difficult race, challenging," said race coordinator Deb Maki. "It's not an easy course."
That challenge brings people back year after year, Maki said. And with plenty of snow this winter and professional grooming, the trails are in great shape.
Saturday's races include the Pepsi Challenge 48-kilometer freestyle and classic events; the 24K freestyle and classic Great River Energy Rush events; and the Giants Ridge 10K.
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The classic races start at 9 a.m., the freestyle at 9:30 a.m. and the 10K race at 9:45 a.m. Registration is available from noon to 10 p.m. today, and 7-8:30 a.m. Saturday, at the Biwabik Park Pavilion.
The Pepsi Challenge is part of the American Ski Marathon Series and serves as a qualifier for the American Birkebeiner. For more information, go to pepsichallengeskirace.com.
