The 37th Annual Marine on St. Croix/O’Brien Cross-Country Ski Race will be held on Sunday, January, 27th 2008 in William O’Brien State Park located just north of Marine on St. Croix, MN on Highway 95. Skiers of all abilities are invited to the beautiful St. Croix River valley to participate in this fun-filled community and family event.

New this year is the 25km classic and skate races “twice around the park”. The new longer distance races are great tune-ups for those skiing in the City of Lakes Loppet, Mora Vasaloppet, and American Birkebiener ski races. The 12.5km classic and skate races “once around the park” will continue to draw skiers of all abilities out to enjoy a beautiful day in William O’Brien State Park. Kid’s races, of age appropriate distances, have been moved to the afternoon this year when it is usually warmer, and now the kid’s races fall in line with the weekly ski meetings of the St. Croix Valley Minnesota Youth Ski League.

Registration can be completed on-line at www.myvira.com prior to Sunday. Sunday morning the 27th registration will be at the visitor center at William O’Brien State Park. It will begin at 9:00 AM and go until 15 minutes prior the start of each race.

The 12.5 and 25 kilometer classic races will start at 10:30 AM. The 12.5 and 25 kilometer skate races will start at 11:00 AM. Adult’s races cost $20.00 with special pricing for High School athletes of $12.00.

The kid’s races for ages 2-13 will feature the “100 meter dash”, “1 km sprint”, “2.2 km thriller”, “3.5 km mad dash”. Registration is from 9:00 AM until 1:15 PM. Kid’s races will start at 1:30 PM. Kid’s race costs $7.00 per child. 3 or more children from one family will be $18.00 total. All participants receive a treat bag and a ribbon upon completion of the race.

Come out and cheer on all the racers. Past participants of this race have gone on to become Minnesota State High School Nordic Champions, U.S. Ski Team Biathletes, U.S. Nordic Ski Champions and Olympians.

Area merchants are donating prizes, gift certificates, and other goodies for overall champions in each event and age group category, as well as, items for raffle after the awards ceremony. All proceeds from the race will benefit youth skiing through the St. Croix Valley Minnesota Youth Ski League, www.mysl.org , and the Marine on St. Croix Restoration Society.

There will be some old photos, trophies, time cards, etc on display to recognize where ski racing began in Minnesota. Marine Ski Shop owners Ralph and Marian Malberg, Greg Olin, and Bill and Tina Hawkinson got this all going on wooden skis imported from Norway 37 years ago. The race used to start at the Marine Elementary School with a mad dash across the ball fields where it funneled into a single file track into the woods to get into William O’Brien State Park. Broken bamboo poles were the norm.

Come out and be a part of history.

For further information contact Everett Myers, phone 651-644-2800, e-mail everett@fruitshare.com