Barneløpet - Children's Ski Event
February 2, 2008
Help your kids shake off that cabin fever at the ninth annual Barneløpet Saturday,
February 2, at 10:00 a.m. The event is sponsored by Sons of Norway Valdres
Lodge #503 in Decorah, Iowa, and Sons of Norway Valheim Lodge #364 in
Spring Grove, Minn., along with Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum.
Barneløpet is a non-competitive ski or walk event for children ages 3-13. It is open to girls and boys of all skill levels and is a great event for the entire family to get out, get involved, and enjoy winter.
The event will take place at the Decorah Community Prairie, which is accessed by car at the south end of Ohio Street, near Aase Haugen Nursing Homes. The trail will be in a loop, with the start and finish at the site of the butterfly garden. Participants will have three different loops to choose from. There will be a specific loop for walking, and a shorter loop for younger skiers.
This event will be held regardless of conditions. In the absence of snow, participants and their families will walk the course. “Let’s hope the snow stays,” said Darlene Fossum-Martin, event coordinator. “Skiing is a great way to get out and enjoy winter, but if we don’t have snow you can still come and enjoy a great family walk through the prairie.”
The terrain is flat and the trail is groomed. Caregivers can walk or ski the course with the children, or may choose to stand along the course and cheer.
Participants register the day of the event between 9:40 and 10:00 a.m. After receiving their medal at the finish line, participants are welcome to hot chocolate and cookies. Special thanks to Pepsi Cola of Decorah for providing drinks and Sons of Norway members for providing the cookies.
Everyone’s a winner! Each registered participant will receive a printed bib for the event and a medal at the finish line. This event is modeled after the American Birkebeiner race held in Hayward, Wisconsin.
The entry fee is $3, and participants must provide their own skis. There are a limited number of children's skis for rent at Decorah Bicycles, and you can call them to make reservations. For more information about the Barneløpet event contact Vesterheim at (563) 382-9681.