Barneløpet Youth Ski Race Winds Through St. Cloud’s Riverside Park Sunday

(KNSI) – Kids from three to 13 years old will take to Riverside Park Sunday for the 16th Annual Sons of Norway Barneløpet.

Nordic Ski Club of Central Minnesota President Molly Weyrens says that while they would like a little more snow, the event will occur as scheduled.

“Skiers are always very, very optimistic when we see white on the ground, so we’re going to take what’s there and do the best we can and set up a little course for folks.”

Same-day registration begins at 11:30 a.m., and the race will happen at 1:00 p.m. It is free, and equipment rental is available. Volunteers will have cookies, hot chocolate, and waffles they’ll be handing out at the course. Every finisher gets an Olympic-style medal.

Weyrens says this year’s Barneløpet is an important one. Interest in the sport is sky-high among youth right now. “We are experiencing what we call the Jessie effect. And that is Jessie Diggins, who is from Stillwater, who won the gold medal and [in] the last Olympics won three different medals. [She] has really had a huge influence on kids and skiing.”

Another group helping to put on the race is the Central Minnesota Youth Ski Club. They offer weekly classes each Sunday through March 3rd, conditions permitting.

A link to more information on both is here.

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