“Runners have asked for the marathon event and we’re rolling it out,” said Ned Zuelsdorff, executive director of the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation. “It is guaranteed to challenge even the strongest runners.”
Also new for 2010, the course has been turned around and will now traverse the trail from south to north, after outgrowing the previous finish area at Hatchery Park, just outside of Hayward, Wisconsin. The marathon and marathon relay will now start at Hatchery Park, while the Half Marathon Run and Half Marathon Birkie Trek will begin at the County Road OO trailhead in Seeley. All events will finish on the grounds of Telemark Resort near Cable. The 5K will start and finish at Telemark. Cross-country skiers consider the Birkie Trail to be one of the best and most challenging cross-country ski race courses in the world. Many mountain bikers have been put to the test during the Chequamegon 40, which uses the Birkie Trail. Now it’s time for trail runners and Nordic walkers to catch Birkie fever and take on the challenge of running or walking this beautiful course.
Started in 2003, the Birkie Trail Run has offered a variety of fun events to hundreds of trail runners and Nordic walkers each year. All distance events take place on the famous, winding and hilly Birkie Trail during the fall, one of the most beautiful times of the year in northern Wisconsin. And while challenging, the event promises to be a lot of fun for participants and spectators.
The Birkie Trail provides the perfect venue for a trail run. The trail is relatively even, grass covered and wide enough to pass single or groups of runners and walkers. The trail offers plenty of variety with some steep ups and downs, but mostly rolling terrain through the forest.
“The events continue to grow in popularity with 800 to 1,000 participants expected this year,” said Zuelsdorff. “More than 95 percent of the 2009 participants indicated they would likely return for the 2010 event.”
The marathon relay includes categories for three- and six-person open, women’s and mixed teams. Team result times are handicapped based on participant ages and genders to even out the competition. Several teams have already entered. The relay is capped at 75 teams and there will be no race day registration. Same day registration is permitted for all of the other events.
The half marathon traverses the hilliest section of the trail north from County OO to the Kortelopet Ski Trail ending at Telemark.
The Birkie Trek is a half marathon distance Nordic walking event where the use of poles is recommended. Using the same course as half marathon runners, Birkie Trek participants start their event earlier in the morning to provide plenty of time to complete the walk, cheer on the runners and then enjoy the festivities at the Telemark finish area. The 5K participants will enjoy predominantly rolling terrain.
Water, energy drinks and medical support will be available on the course, but marathon relay teams will be responsible for transporting their team members to the specified relay exchange points using their own vehicles. The drive route includes sand and gravel forest roads, and higher-clearance vehicles are recommended. Bus transportation is provided for all other event participants.
At the finish line, participants will find food, live music, door prizes and overall and age class awards. Everyone will receive a technical T-shirt as a souvenir. The Birkie Trail Run events are held in conjunction with the Hayward and Cable Area Fall festivals, complete with arts and crafts booths, food booths, children’s games and entertainment, farmers markets and live music.
To register, go to www.birkie.com. For more information, e-mail birkie@birkie.com or call 715/634-5025.
Cherie Morgan is media coordinator for the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation.
top of page
Visitor Comments »
top of page
