The American Birkebeiner® is the largest and most prestigious cross-country ski marathon in North America. This spring it will also be the final exam for students enrolled in a new physical education course offered by the Lake Superior College Virtual Campus.
Lake Superior College is offering "X-Country Ski Marathon" (PE-2999-65), a new online course intended to prepare participants to compete in the world famous "Birkie." The class will provide race training and nutritional information in addition to history, etiquette and basic Nordic skiing skills. The students will prepare for the event over 12 weeks, beginning December 5, 2005, then ski the Birkie (51 kilometers) or the associated Kortelopet (23 kilometers) on Saturday, February 25, to complete the course requirements. Students may substitute another race of similar length if they wish.
Each year nearly 8,000 skiers of all ages and abilities participate in the American Birkebeiner. The race was established in 1973 and has grown into a premier event, attracting the world's elite skiers as well as thousands of recreational enthusiasts. Held on trails near Cable and Hayward, Wisconsin, the American Birkebeiner, more than any other event, is responsible for the growth and popularity of the sport of cross country skiing as we know it today.
Lake Superior College will also sponsor an activity tent during the Feb. 23-25 race weekend,
"Lake Superior College is very excited to be associated with the Birkie," explains Barry Dahl, Lake Superior College Vice President for the Virtual Campus. "It is one of the most famous and long-running sporting events in the upper Midwest, attracting participants from all over the globe and more than 15,000 spectators annually."
Lake Superior College faculty member Joshua Tesch, a former Kortelopet champion, will teach the class.
"Skiers will engage in a training program that will either get them ready for their first Birkie or help them improve upon their previous race times," Tesch explains. "I encourage both first timers and seasoned Birkie veterans to sign up."
The two-credit course, which is widely accepted for transfer, is available to any student wishing to earn college credit for skiing the race. In addition to standard tuition and fees, an additional $50 fee will be charged for this course. Enrolling in the Lake Superior College course provides each student with a guaranteed entry into either the Birkie or the Kortelopet.
Lake Superior College has previously offered similar courses in cooperation with Grandma's Marathon and the NorthShore Inline Marathon. "The American Birkebeiner is an excellent addition to those offerings," Dahl states. "It's a world class event with a long history."
More information about the American Birkebeiner and related events is available online at www.birkie.com.
With more than 130 courses offered via the Internet and over 725 full time equivalent students, Lake Superior College's Virtual Campus is a leader in providing online for-credit college classes in Minnesota.
For more information, contact Christine Torma, (218) 733-2030, virtual@lsc.mnscu.edu or visit www.lsc.edu/online/.