Despite the ongoing pandemic, the famous Marcialonga has taken place end of January. The organizers had to invest a lot of effort, to guarantee a safe race for more than 1100 skiers, but they managed it. Also other Worldloppet events got permission from the local authorities to take place.

While the upcoming Jizerska Padesatka (14th Feb.) can only host an elite race (Ski Classics), the Estonian Tartu Maraton will take place as popular race a week later. Also, the American Birkebeiner (24. -28.2.) and the Russian Demino Skimarathon (6.3.) are accessible for both, elite and popular skiers. On 7th March, the Vasaloppet will host another elite-only-event, but also offers an open track for popular skiers. The Norwegian Birkebeinerrennet and the Icelandic Fossavatnsgangan are still planning to take place as always, but there is no final decision yet. 

List of races taking place for sure: 

• 31.1. – Marcialonga/ITA
• 14.2. – Jizerska Padesatka/CZE (elite only)
• 21.2. – Tartu Maraton/EST
• 24. – 28.2. – American Birkebeiner/USA
• 6.3. – Demino Skimarathon/RUS
• 7.3. – Vasaloppet/SWE (elite only)

Open track events offered as alternative

One solution to avoid contact between thousands of participants are individual races. The Engadin Skimarathon for example is offering an open track event on the original course between 5.3. and 14.3. The participants recive a timing chip and do their race individually from the original start to the original finish. Same concept is offered by Vasaloppet: the Vasa Aket, between 12.2. and 7.3. Birkebeinerrennet in Norway and the Polish Bieg Piastow follow this idea and offer an open track event as well. Since these competitions are running on the original tracks, they are valid for the Worldloppet Passport and for becoming a Worldloppet Master. 

List of races offering an open track events:

• 6.2. -7.3. – VinterBirken QR/NOR
• 12.2 – 7.3. – VasaAket/SWE
• 28.2. – 7.3. – Bieg Piastow Individual/POL
• 5.3. – 14.3. – Engadin Skimarathon Individual/SUI

Virtual events united in one League

Even if a race organization gets the permission to take place, still there remains a problem: Travel restrictions. In order to offer an event to all skiers around the globe, many organizers came up with virtual events. The principle is easy: Register, do your race at home, record it with a sports watch or smartphone, upload the result and recive a diploma. Wordloppet has united these events to one big challenge: The Virtual Racing League. The goal for the participant is to finish 7 different virtual events and become a Virtual Racer. 

List of Virtual Racing League events:

• e-Transju’ 2021 – 1.2. – 28.2.2021
• Mein König Ludwig Lauf – 6.2. – 28.2.2021
• Fun on Sapporo Virtual Race – 7.2. – 7.3.2021
• Jizerska 50 Virtual Race – 6.2. – 28.2.2021
• Tartu Maraton Virtual Edition 2021 – 8.2. – 14.3.2021
• Virtual Gatineau Loppet – 13. – 28.2.2021
• American Birkebeiner Virtual Edition 2021 – 26.2.2021
• Finlandia Hiihto Virtual – 20.2. – 14.3.2021
• Bieg Piastow Virtual Edition 2021 – 20.2. – 7.3.2021
• Fossavatnsgangan Virtual Edition 2021 – 12. – 18.4.2021

How one could join the Virtual Racing League

The participation in the Virtual Racing League is for free. Everybody who wants to be part of the game has to log in to the MyLoppet registration system on the Worldloppet website & of course has to participate in the different virtual races (organized by Worldloppet member races). After participating in 7 races, Worldloppet will hand out the title Virtual Racer!