Pepsi Challenge Cup 50K & 50K Classic - Great River Energy Rush Races 25K & 25K Classic - Giants Ridge 8K

Saturday, February 28, 2026

Trail Conditions at Giants Ridge 2/20/2025

Trails at Giants Ridge are perfect entirely Pisten Bulley groomed!

2026 Update

Registration forms are available for the February 28, 2026, Pepsi Challenge races. 

Join us for the Pepsi Challenge/Great River Energy/Giants Ridge Nordic Races on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at the stunning Giants Ridge. We’re gearing up for five exciting races – 50K, 25K, and 8K – in both Skate and Classic styles. Our RunSignUp registration site, along with the mail-in registration form, is now live. The racecourses are unchanged, but registration, bib pickup, and the awards luncheon will now take place in The South Chalet at Giants Ridge, located just before the Main Chalet.

Please mark our event on your calendar – we look forward to seeing you! Any questions, please call 218-865-8072 and leave a message for Lisa. Thank you!

Experience the challenge!

East Range Cross Country Challenges, Inc., along with the communities of Biwabik, Aurora, Hoyt Lakes, and the Town of White, proudly welcomes all citizen cross-country skiers to the 40th Annual Pepsi Challenge Cup 50K, Great River Energy Rush 25K, and Giants Ridge 8K. With support from Pepsi, Great River Energy, Giants Ridge, Honey Stinger, Rossignol, WDIO TV, Biwabik Area Civic Association, FITS® Socks, Rex Wax American Ski Marathon Series, Minnesota Power, Lakehead Constructors, Tour de Finn, and Cold Snap Technology, we aim to make this year’s event the best yet! Join us on Minnesota’s stunning Iron Range for the final celebration of the ski season and take on the “Challenge” and the “Rush.” You won’t regret it!

Location

Giants Ridge, 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.

Office Location

Giants Ridge generously provides us office space, but the ERCCCI board and its volunteers still organize the race. Call Giants Ridge and ask for Lisa Weidemann or race headquarters. 1-800-688-7669 ext. 8072 or 218-865-8072 or email pepsichallenge@giantsridge.com.

Racecourse

This course offers an exciting experience for skiers of all levels. The races are spectator-friendly, starting and finishing at Giants Ridge in the Nordic Stadium near the Timing Building. Each race begins with 1K of wide-open skiing (with space for at least six skiers across) before climbing ancient overburden mountains and winding through scenic woodlands. The 50K race challenges adventurous skiers on the famous World Cup and Olympic training trails, finishing back at the Nordic Stadium. The 8K race is ideal for beginners to intermediate skiers, looping through the Stadium twice. The entire course is groomed for excellent conditions for both skating and classic skiing. Feed stations are placed about every 8K, offering Gatorade, Honey Stinger Gel, and water. Note that trails and race distances may be subject to change.

50K Criteria

For new skiers anticipating skiing The Pepsi Challenge race (50K Freestyle) for the first time here are some tips to help you decide if the race is for you.

1. It is called the Pepsi Challenge because it is a challenge. The course features an elevation gain of about 1000 feet per 25K loop with an exhilarating 2K downhill finish.

2. In order to finish this race before the cut-off times: You should be able to ski approximately for 4 hours straight. This will be about 5 to 5.5 minute per "K" (kilometer). You should be able to ski one kilometer in five minutes for 50 kilometers.

Pepsi Challenge 50K Classic and Great River Energy 25K Classic Races

The 50K and 25K Classic races 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.

2026 Birkie Qualifier-WWW.BIRKIE.ORG

Race finish times for the 25k & 50K Freestyle and Classic races are eligible for American Birkebeiner wave placement validation.

 

American Ski Marathon Series

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.

Tour de Finn

We are excited to announce that this year’s Pepsi Challenge 25k Classic Race is part of the inaugural Tour de Finn Ski Series! This Minnesotan ski racing series is presented by Finn Sisu, features nine Midwest ski races from December – March, and aims to encourage community-building through consistent event participation. See full rules and team registration on the Tour website. 

December 13: Minnesota Nordic Opener, Skadi’s Chase, 8k Skate, Elm Creek Park Reserve

Jan : Hiito Relays, 2-partner Skate relays, Battle Creek Regional Park

January 3: Vasaloppet First Chance Race, 10K Skate, Mora Nordic Center

January 11: Low-pet Law-pet Challenge, 10K Skate, Theodore Wirth Park

January : River View Loppet, 18k Classic, Brule XC Ski Trails

January : Marine O’Brien, 12K Classic, William O’Brien State Park

January 24: Noquemanon Classic 50K, Marquette, MI

January 31: Mt. Ashwabay 30K Classic, Mt. Ashwabay

February 1: City of Lake Loppet 35K Skate, Theodore Wirth Park

February 7: Vasaloppet USA, 35K Skate, Mora

February : MN Finlandia, 25K Pursuit, Buena Vista

February 28: Pepsi Challenge, 25K Classic, Giant’s Ridge Ski Area

March 7: Ski North Ultra, 100K Classic, Cascade River State Park

Registration

All entries must be on official registration forms and be accompanied by the appropriate fee listed below. Please note there is a discount structure if registrations are sent in before deadline dates. Entry fee includes free luncheon admission. No changes between the 50K, 25K and 8K races will be accepted after February 27, 2025.   Race registrations are not taken over the phone.

Pepsi Challenge Cup 50K & Great River Energy Rush 25K Races

2026 Entry Fees

$75    25K & 50K to October 31st*

$85    25K & 50K  November 1st to November 30th

$90    25K & 50K  December 1st to December 31st

$100  25K & 50K  January 1st to February 15th

$110  25K & 50K  February 16th to Race Day

      *youth rate 13-21yo 25K & 16-21yo 50K  $70.00.

$40.00   8K race 18 years of age & under 

$55.00   8K race toFebruary 16(Over 18 years of age)

$60.00  8K race February 16 to Race Day

$15.00   Guest luncheon tickets available only in advance      by February 23, 2026! 

US Funds Only!   Make checks payable to: ERCCCI

No Refunds. Credit Cards online only(fee based). 

Online: https://runsignup.com/Race/MN/Biwabik/PepsiChallengeSki

 

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

Race times, Rates and Distances subject to change

U.S. Funds only and No Credit Cards are accepted. No Refunds Allowed.  In person Registration in the South Chalet at Giants Ridge on Friday only!

Registration Location

BIB PICKUP Bibs and information packets will be available for pickup at the South Chalet at Giants Ridge on the lower level, Friday, February 27, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Saturday, March 21, 2025, from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. Identification will be required for bib pickups.

Lodging

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 Stay - Discover the Range (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.

Bus Service

No shuttle bus service will be available.

Baggage Tent

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.

 

Start Times & Finish Location

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®.

Free participant luncheon will be served after the race in the South Chalet at Giants Ridge. Bring your lunch ticket. See Participant Luncheon for details.

No refunds for any reason – including race cancellation. Race course and times are subject to change.

Participant Luncheon

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 24, 2025 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 until a majority of non-disputed results are available to Luncheon administrators.

Awards Ceremony – South Chalet at Giants Ridge. Overall Champions are acknowledged as Top 3 Finishers are present at the Luncheon. 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 if 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. Overflow seating is available in the Main Chalet at Giants Ridge.

Awards & Eligibility

Top three overall finishers of each race will receive a prize. Class awards will be given to the top three (3) male and female finishers in each age division in the 50K, 25K and 8K races.

Class awards for 25K and 50K races will be FITS® socks. Class prizes for 8K race will be a Giants Ridge award.

 

Class Awards - Age Divisions

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 1, 2025.

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.

 

Calendar of events

Friday – February 27, 2026

2:00 – 9:00 p.m.               Registration and bib pickup South Chalet at Giants Ridge, 6329 Wynne Creek Drive, Biwabik MN 55708

Saturday – February 28, 2026

7:00 – 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®.

No refunds for any reason – including race cancellation. Racecourse and times are subject to change.

 

Results will be posted at Giants Ridge at the following locations:

• Outside of the timing building.

• Giants Ridge South Chalet on race day.

• On-line at www.superiortiming.com, pepsichallengeskirace.com and at www.skinnyski.com.

Our 25K and 50K races qualify for the Korte & American Birkebeiner Race next year.

You must check your time to make sure it is correct! There is a 30-minute protest period after the race. You must protest to the timing officials upstairs in the timing building. It is too late to protest at the luncheon.

If you do not finish the correct distance race that you registered for, report to official timer in the timing bldg.   For example: if you drop out of the 50K race, you must report to timing official upstairs in the timing building. (The volunteers outside cannot help you with this, you must go to the official timer directly.)

Additional Information

For more information and/or registration call or write:

Pepsi Challenge Cup Race Headquarters

P.O. Box 505

Biwabik, MN  55708-0505

Giants Ridge local (218) 865 8072

or call toll-free 1-800-688-7669 ext 8072

Contact Lisa Weidemann at pepsichallenge@giantsridge.com

Fees and conditions

 

Please enclose proper fees, with the entry form and mail to the address above. NO REFUNDS WILL BE ALLOWED. U.S. FUNDS ONLY! MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO ERCCCI. CHARGE CARDS ARE NOT ACCEPTED

 

Downloadable copy of our Event Information Booklet.

Click the icon below to download the attached PDF.