As of Thursday, Feb. 28, the course is still holding up. The base is hard-packed/icy, but with 1-2" of snow predicted, the race should be okay. Accordingly, the race has been changed from classic to freestyle. Start time is still 2:00, and it should be a great race. Perhaps the Birkebeiners from last weekend will make an appearance--or perhaps they have a different costume this weekend.
Due to the cold temperatures and the extremely cold wind chills, the Crazy Carleton Classic Relays have been postponed to Saturday March 1 at 2:00 P.M. Holding the race in these conditions would be unpleasant and unsafe for all, especially the volunteers. We look forward to trying this event again in March.
The Crazy Carleton Classic Relay is a 3x3km classic relay through the scenic Cowling Arboretum of Carleton College, and is open to the general public. Come relay and relax with the Carleton Nordic Ski Club.
Registration will be open an hour before the race outside the Carleton Recreation Center. The entry fee is $5/person.
The course is a short (3km), relatively flat loop in Carleton's Upper Arboretum. Course map.
Relay teams will have three members, each of whom will ski one 3km lap. Teams can be formed at registration, so participants do not necessarily have to find their own team ahead of time. Themed costumes are encouraged.
From the Twin Cities, take I-35 south to MN-19 (exit 69 for Northfield).
Turn left (East) onto MN-19.
Turn left at the first stoplight you encounter in Northfield (follow 19).
Continue following 19 as it turns right within a few blocks, then crosses the river.
Turn left at the stop sign just across the river (you're still on 19).
If you drive past a smokestack, you're on the right road.
Turn right onto a small road just after the bridge (about .2 miles after the smokestack).
Look for the registration table in front of the recreation center.
Maps are available online at the Carleton Website (under the heading Maps). The most useful are the Downtown Northfield and Carleton Campus maps. They also have a set of directions for getting to campus, though after crossing the river turn left and stay on 19.