FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Jr. Birkie 2015: a new venue, a new format, and a new registration system

For the second year, Gear West will be the Junior Birkie sponsor, which will start behind the Hayward Elementary School, the same location as the Barnebirkie, and finish on Main Street on Friday February 20, 2015. Skiers will have several race options: 1.5 km (U8/U10), 3 km (U12/U14/U16), and 5 km (U19). The High School Sprint Relays will start and finish on Main Street, immediately following the Junior Birkie mass start races.

The 2015 Junior Birkie is part of the CXC Youth Cup, a series of eleven races developed in cooperation with the Minnesota Youth Ski League and CXC to promote health and fitness for youth across the Midwest. The CXC Youth Cup offers athletes ages 10-13 (U12 and U14) the opportunity to experience and explore the excitement of travel, friendship, and competition associated with CXC/USSA events and races. The series promises to engage youth athletes in a "Nordic lifestyle" that includes pre-race and post-race activities, as well as fun, excitement, and friendship in a welcoming competitive atmosphere. From its humble beginning at Fish Hatchery Park sixteen years ago, the Junior Birkie continues to grow, and has become a premier Midwest youth event.

Jr. Birkie Mass Start Freestyle Race & High School Sprint Relay Friday February 20, 2015
Mass Start Races begin at 9:00 AM
High School Sprint Relay begins at 11:00 AM
ONLINE – PRE-Registration is REQUIRED
Registration closes at 7:00 PM on Thursday February 19, 2015
NO Race Day Registration
www.birkie.com