By Becky Walz,
Do you have what it takes to become the Ultimate Norseman?
Test your skills during the annual Nordic Fest by competing in the many sporting events, July 23-24.
Challenge yourself
Festers who participate in three Saturday events will have their results combined to face off for the title of the Ultimate Norseman.
Participants need to complete the Elveløpet 5K or 15K run, Nordic Rock Throw, and the famed Lutefisk eating contest.
Other events
Friday is the annual Kanoløpet canoe race. The event starts at 6:30 p.m., at 212 Pulpit Rock Road. Registration is $30 per person which includes canoe rental, life jackets and paddles. Those who provide their own canoe may enter for $20 per person. The race will have two canoe divisions determined by the combined ages of the participants in each canoe and a third division for kayaks. Registration will be taken at the Chamber of Commerce until 5 p.m.
Join the hundreds of participants early Saturday morning in the traditional Elveløpet 5K walk/run and 15K run along the river. Online registration ends Thursday, July 22. Final registrations accepted from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Decorah Chamber of Commerce and from 6 to 8 p.m., at Decorah City Hall on Friday, July 23 and from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m. Saturday, July 24, at the canopy tent across the street from City Hall.
Try your hand at the Nordic Rock Throw at 1 p.m., at the Decorah Middle School. Entrants must be at least 18 years of age. There is a $2 registration fee.
Watch the Driftless Dodgers put on an exhibition of vintage baseball at 2 p.m., at the Decorah High School baseball field. The game is a blast from the past, featuring teams playing by the rules of 1860 and wearing uniforms from the time period. Among the different rules are a ball caught off one bounce is an out, the pitcher doesn’t try to throw strikes, no leading off the base and balls hit over the fence (home runs in modern rules) can be retrieved for an out.
Finally, put your lutefisk eating skills to the test at the Courthouse Square at 3 p.m. There is no registration or fee, just show up ready to down that lutefisk.
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