Part of the City of Lakes Loppet Winter Festival
Saturday, February 5: 8:30am (10K), 8:45am (5K), 9:15am (3K)
The Trailhead, 1221 Theodore Wirth Parkway
Ski with your best friend… your dog! 10 kilometer, 5 kilometer, and 3 kilometer courses on the premiere Loppet ski trails (which skijors are not normally allowed on) makes the Chuck & Don’s Skijoring One-dog Loppet a participant and fan favorite event. This is the first day of the National Skijoring Championship and IFSS World Cup Race.
Sunday, February 6: 8:30am
3000 East, W Bde Maka Ska Pkwy, Minneapolis, MN 55408
The Chuck & Don’s Skijor Two Dog Loppet is a two dogs event on the second day of the National Skijoring Championship and IFSS World Cup Race. The point-to-point race will begin on Bde Maka Ska and finish at The Trailhead in Theodore Wirth Park, following the premiere Loppet ski trails (some of which skijors are not normally allowed on). You may participate with one or two dogs.
Combined National Championship
Experienced skijoring teams can compete in one or both days of the Combined National Championship. Those teams that compete in both Saturday’s One-Dog Skijor Loppet 10K and Sunday’s 10K Two-Dog Skijor Loppet will automatically be entered into the Combined National Championship event. In addition, both 10K events are individual National Championship events and are accredited IFSS World Cup Races, which will feature some of the best skijoring teams in North America.
Read the official rules below to view more information about the race classes.
Registration & Packet Pickup
Note: Registration will be open until Fri at midnight. No race day registration.
Register Now!| Status | Starting Opening Day | Starting 12/7/21 | Starting 1/11/22 | Starting 2/1/22 | Starting 2/3/22 | Registration Deadline | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chuck & Don's Skijor 10K One Dog Loppet (aka One Dog National Championship) | Open | $30 | $35 | $40 | $45 | N/A | 2/4/22 11:59pm |
| Chuck & Don's Skijor Loppet (5K/3K) | Open | $25 | $30 | $35 | $40 | N/A | 2/4/22 11:59pm |
Proceeds from the Skijor Loppet benefit the Loppet Foundation. Learn more about the Foundation's mission, vision, and values.
Registration and transaction fees are non-refundable, including in the event of delay, rescheduling, or cancellation of an event or program. An event or program registration is not transferable to another person or another event for any reason, including injury. Participating under another person's name will result in disqualification.
A Note About the Data We Collect
Packet Pickup
2022 City of Lakes Loppet Winter Festival packet pickup will be available at the following times and locations:
- Thursday, February 3: The Trailhead, 4pm-8pm
- Friday, February 4: The Trailhead, 4pm-8pm
- Saturday, February 5: The Trailhead, 7am-3pm (note that this is best for day of at Trailhead races. Parking will be limited.)
- Saturday, February 5: Bde Maka Ska, 7am-10am (for Saturday point to point races only)
- Sunday, February 6: Bde Maka Ska, 7am-12pm (for Sunday point to point races only)
Race Day Information
2022 Chuck and Don’s Skijoring Races Participant Guide – everything you need to know!
Race Categories
- 10K: The top three one-dog teams in the 10K will be crowned the One-Dog National Champions and subsequent runner-ups. Only one dog can be used in this event.
- 5K: The top three teams in this event will be awarded. One or two dogs are permitted in this event.
- 3K: The top three teams in this event will be awarded. Only one dog can be used in this event.
Race Format
Skijoring teams will be assigned start times and pods and be released in a time trial fashion. Specific start time assignments will be emailed and posted the week of the event. The front pods will be reserved for those teams competing for the National Skijoring Championship and World Cup Race. 10K teams will start at about 8:30 am. 5K and 3K course teams will start after. All races will start and finish at The Trailhead in Theodore Wirth Park.
Race Rules
Participants are responsible for reading, understanding and complying with published race rules prior to the event. Any changes or adjustments to these rules will be communicated prior to the race. Safety is of utmost concern for all and rules will be altered to ensure safety. Pulks, sleds, or other carriers are NOT permitted. Sit Skiers ARE permitted.
Download Saturday’s Race Rules PDF
Teams will be seeded based on prior Skijoring Loppet results. Request for seeding by Skijorers with no prior race history must be sent to kevinmmurphy@comcast.net by January 22, 2021, to be considered for this event. Request must include links to publicly available skijoring race results.
10k Skijoring teams will be seeded based on 2020 K9 Powered Sports Midwest Race Series Race results. Registration is required by end of online registration on January 25 to be included in the seeding for this event.
All dog handlers must stand on the left side of the team they are assisting and must remain in place until all teams have passed. Do not attempt to move out of the way.
For more information about skijoring visit www.K9powered.org
Spectators and Handlers: One handler permitted
One handler will be allowed per team. Spectators may or may not be allowed due to COVID-19 event limits and/or the need to maintain distancing. Additionally, spectators may be limited to certain areas of the course. More information will be included in updates closer to the Festival.
Parking for Skijorers
For the Saturday Skijor Loppet events, we will try to save spots for skijorers at the Trailhead-South parking lot. If a parking permit system is needed for this lot, permits will be be emailed a few days before the event that should be printed, shown to any parking attendants by holding it up at the window, and put on the dash.
Timing chips must be returned before leaving the finish area. Bag claim and a changing tent will located in the North Trailhead Parking Lot. Find food (including the always popular bowl of chili) and drinks inside The Trailhead.
Festival Amenities
Saturday Amenities Schedule
- 6:00am – 9:00am: North Beach Volunteer Parking
- 7:00am – 11:00am: North Beach Classic Races Last Minute Bib Pickup
- 7:00am – 11:00am: North Beach Parking Lot Dropoff Zone
- 8:00am – 11:00am: North Beach Bag Drop (Got Junk trucks)
- 10:00am – 2:30pm: The Trailhead North Parking Lot Bag Claim
- 10:00am – 3:00pm: Surly Brewing Co. Beer Garden and Festival Village
- 10:00am – 4:00pm: Changing Tent Heated
- 10:30am – 4:00pm: The Trailhead Food Station
- 11:00am – 4:00pm: Shuttle Bus runs between The Trailhead and Calhoun Executive Center
Sunday Amenities Schedule
- 6:00am – 9:00am: North Beach Volunteer Parking
- 7:00am – 12:00pm: North Beach Parking Lot Dropoff Zone
- 8:00am – 12:00pm: North Beach Bag Drop (Got Junk trucks)
- 8:00am – 12:00pm: North Beach – Last Minute Bib Pickup
- 9:30am – 3:00pm: The Trailhead North Parking Lot Bag Claim
- 10:00am – 3:00pm: Changing Tent Heated
- 10:00am – 3:00pm: Surly Brewing Co. Beer Garden and Festival Village
- 10:30am – 3:00pm: The Trailhead Food Station
- 11:00am – 3:00pm: Shuttle Bus runs between The Trailhead and Calhoun Executive Center
Maps & Course Information
Saturday Skijor
Sunday Point-to-Point Map
Parking
We encourage participants to bike, bus, ski, or walk to the City of Lakes Loppet Winter Festival events. For those who choose to drive, please read the sections below for information on parking and drop off / pickup.
On Friday, parking is available at Theodore Wirth Park in The Trailhead parking lot and the Theodore Wirth Chalet parking lot.
On Saturday and Sunday, racers starting at Bde Maka Ska are responsible for getting to the start line on their own. Their best option is to be dropped off at the Bde Maka Ska North Beach parking lot (2710 W Lake St, Minneapolis), park in the Lakeside Center (formerly Calhoun Executive Center)lot (3033 Excelsior Boulevard, Minneapolis), or park in the public lots and neighborhoods nearby. A shuttle (operating 11:00am – 4:00pm) will bring racers from the finish at the Trailhead back to the Calhoun Executive Center after their races.
On Saturday and Sunday, racers, event participants, and spectators coming to Theodore Wirth Park should plan to park at the Mortenson Lots (700 Meadow Lane and 4100 Olson Memorial Highway, Golden Valley).
There is no shuttle bus transportation for dogs.
Maps
Point to Point Race Start Drop Off Map
Friday Packet Pickup
Parking at Theodore Wirth Park
- Trailhead Small North Lot: Closed (venue), Dropoffs/Pickups allowed (no parking)
- Trailhead Large South Lot: Open but may be limited.
- Chalet Lot: Open but may be limited.
- Overflow Lot: Closed
- Mortenson Construction Lot: Participant parking available after 5:00pm (walking distance to Theodore Wirth Trailhead)
Saturday/Sunday Drop off / Pick up
- Chalet Lot Drop Off Zone: Available for participant drop off/pick up on Saturday and Sunday
- No drop off/pick up anywhere but the Chalet Lot Drop Off Zone. Dropoff/Pickup is not available at the Trailhead.
Saturday: Races & Events at Wirth
Road Closures
- Glenwood Ave from Xerxes to Theodore Wirth Pkwy closed 8:00am, Saturday until 2:00pm, Sunday
- Theodore Wirth Pkwy from N Wayzata Blvd to Glenwood closed 8:00am, Saturday until 2:00pm, Sunday
- Theodore Wirth Pkwy from Hwy 55 to Plymouth Ave closed 8:00am-2:30pm, Saturday and 8:00am-12:00pm, Sunday
Parking at Theodore Wirth Park
- Mortenson Lot: Participant parking available. Mortenson is walking distance to the festival.
- Participant parking available on street in nearby neighborhoods.
- There is very limited parking available at any Theodore Wirth Park Parking Lots. It is by Race Permit only (volunteers, staff, certain participant groups with extra considerations). Roads will be closed and monitored for permits.
Drop off / pick up in Theodore Wirth Park
- Dropoffs and pickups will be allowed at the Chalet (1301 Theodore Wirth Pkwy). Please note that access to the Trailhead will be closed at Hwy 55. You will need to approach the Chalet via Plymouth Ave from the east or Golden Valley Rd from the north.
Sunday
Road Closures
- Glenwood Ave from Xerxes to Theodore Wirth Pkwy closed 8:00am-2:00pm
- Theodore Wirth Pkwy from N Wayzata Blvd to Glenwood closed 8:00am-2:00pm
- Theodore Wirth Pkwy from Hwy 55 to Plymouth Ave closed 8:00am-2:00pm
Parking at Bde Maka Ska (Start of point to point races)
- Please allow yourself extra time to find parking. Note that your car is your best warming place. If possible, it is helpful to pick up your packet before race day.
- North Beach Parking Lot: No participant parking (volunteer/permit parking only). But drop offs are allowed. Please see section below about Bde Maka Ska drop offs.
- Lakeside Center (formerly Calhoun Executive Center): Participant parking available
- If the Lakeside Center parking lot is full, there is also significant nearby neighborhood and general lot parking.
Drop off / pick up near Bde Maka Ska
- North Beach Parking Lot: Available for participant drop off/pick up. But there are also many places on the parkway around the lake where you can pull in and then ski/bike/walk to the start at North Beach.
Parking at Theodore Wirth Park
- Mortenson Lot: Participant parking available. Mortenson is walking distance to the festival.
- Participant parking available on street in nearby neighborhoods.
- There is very limited parking available at any Theodore Wirth Park Parking Lots. It is by Race Permit only (volunteers, staff, certain participant groups with extra considerations). Roads will be closed and monitored for permits.
Drop off / pick up in Theodore Wirth Park
- Dropoffs and pickups will be allowed at the Chalet (1301 Theodore Wirth Pkwy). Please note that access to the Trailhead will be closed at Hwy 55. You will need to approach the Chalet via Plymouth Ave from the east or Golden Valley Rd from the north.
Awards
10k Race- 1dog National Championship
Commemorative medals for all finishers.
Awards for first three overall male and female category finishers.
1st Place: $150, Award Medal
2nd Place: $100, Award Medal
3rd Place: $50, Award Medal
5k Race
Commemorative medals for all finishers.
Awards for first three overall male and female category finishers.
1st Place: $100 Gift Card to Chuck & Don’s, Award Medal
2nd Place: $50 Gift Card to Chuck & Don’s, Award Medal
3rd Place: $25 Gift Card to Chuck & Don’s, Award Medal
3k Race
Commemorative medals for all finishers.
Awards for first three overall finishers.
1st Place: $100 Gift Card to Chuck & Don’s, Award Medal
2nd Place: $50 Gift Card to Chuck & Don’s, Award Medal
3rd Place: $25 Gift Card to Chuck & Don’s, Award Medal
Awards ceremony for this event will take place at the finish area podium as soon as results are posted. Must be present to receive Gift Cards.
Chuck & Don’s Point-to-Point Skijoring Loppet and National 2-Dog Skijoring Championship
Commemorative medals for all finishers.
Awards for first three male and female finishers.
1st Place: $150, Award Medal
2nd Place: $100, Award Medal
3rd Place: $50, Award Medal
Awards ceremony for this championship will take place at the finish area podium as soon as results are posted. Must be present to receive cash award packet.