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KNSC announces 13th annual Barnelopet

(keweenawnordic.org) Skiers begin a flight of the Barnelopet races during last year’s event at the Maasto Hiihto trails in Hancock.

HANCOCK — In a Jan. 27 email to parents and staff of the Hancock Public Schools, John Diebel, of the Keweenaw Nordic Ski Club (KNSC), announced the 13th annual Barnelopet, a family friendly event for young skiers taking place at Maasto Hiihto on the afternoon of Sunday, Feb. 9.

“We would like to invite your students to please help us spread the word (of) the 13th Annual Barnelopet,” Diebel wrote. “Registration is free, with medals and bibs presented to all registered skiers who finish.”

Barnelopet is Norwegian for “kid’s race,” and once again, KNSC is proud to assist with this Sons of Norway event, hosted especially for the community’s youngest skiers, the KNSC is proud to assist with this Sons of Norway event, the club’s website states.

The Barnelopet (pronounced BAR-nuh-lop-it) first began in 1987. and was modeled after the “Barnebirke,” a children’s cross-county ski race held each year as a part of the world-famous American “Birkebeiner” held in Hayward, Wisconsin. states the website. Barnelopet has been held annually for 12 years, on the second Sunday in February, to encourage kids and families to get out and enjoy the winter snow season.

Kids will participate for free, thanks to sponsorship from the Portage Health Auxiliary.

Barnelopet will open for registration at 1 p.m. on Feb. 9 with consecutive flights for 6K, 4K, 2K and 1K courses to accommodate a variety of ages. Skiing starts at 2 p.m. from Hancock’s Four Season Chalet at the north end of the Hancock Driving Park, 1500 Birch Street in Hancock, near the Houghton County arena and fair grounds.

“Kids, Join us for a fun day of skiing at Hancock’s Maasto Hiihto trails. When you complete the course, you’ll be awarded a medallion and be served hot chocolate and cookies plus healthy snacks to celebrate.”

Families are encouraged to ski with younger skiers. This event is co-sponsored by the Keweenaw Community Foundation and Edward Jones-Steve Zutter with support from the Michigan Tech Employees Federal Credit Union. The event is organized by the Keweenaw Nordic Ski Club and Sons of Norway Ulseth Lodge.

As always, the Barnelopet is organized jointly by KNSC and the Sons of Norway’s Ulseth Lodge, and is made possible by the City of Hancock.

To download a registration form, please go to: https://keweenawnordic.org/barne-registration-2020v3/

To download an event flyer, visit: https://keweenawnordic.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/barne-flier-2020v2.pdf.

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