The largest cross-country ski race in North America kicked-off today... right here in the Northland.

Around seven-thousand participants took part in the American Birkebeiner.

Joel Runck was at both the start and finish line and has more this year's big race.

The 50-plus kilometer Birkie from Cable to Hayward puts years of training and stamina to the test.

It's a race that almost got the best of John Dettloff, who's in his 27th year of skiing the Birkebeiner.

"I did my first Birkie back in 1981 and it was so grueling, I'm thinking 'I'll never do this gain,'" said Dettloff of Hayward. " Well, somewhere along the line I says 'I got to do that race again next year' and it became an annual event."

Some of the best Nordic skiers in the word are on the trail here in the 35th annual Birkebeiner, but many of the athletes say the greatest competition lies within oneself."

"So you just try to-based on how much training you put into it, try to do the best you can.

The best of the pack for the men was Russian native Ivan Babikov, who made his break away move during the last six kilometers of the race to clinch his five-thousand dollar prize.

"I tried to stay behind and just save as much energy as I can, so I could save some energy for the last stretch," Babikov said.

Claiming the women's title, 22 year-old Evelyn Dong of Bend, Oregon says her level of patience almost got the best of her during the race.

"I'm kind of impatient as a skier, so I definitely had a few moments where I tried to break away too soon, and it didn't really work," Dong said.

As for her five-thousand dollar cash prize...

"I don't think about the money...actually that's awesome," Dong said.

Tthe 51-K Birkie equals out to approximately 32 miles.