American Birkebeiner

The 8th Birkie Trail Run & Trek has exciting and challenging changes for 2010 including a brand new Individual Marathon Run! Runners have asked for the marathon event and we're rolling it out. It is guaranteed to be a challenge for even the strongest runners.

All events take place on the famous and hilly Birkie trail at one of the most beautiful times of the year in the Cable-Hayward, WI area. And while challenging, the event promises a lot of fun for participants and spectators. There's something for everyone! More than 95% of 2009 participants indicated they would "likely return" for the 2010 event.

The course has been turned around for 2010. The Marathon Run and Marathon Relay will start at Hatchery Park, outside of Hayward. The Half-Marathon Run and Half-Marathon Birkie Trek will start at the Hwy "OO" trail head. All events will finish at Telemark Resort, near Cable. The 5K Run/Walk will start and finish at Telemark.

For more information on individual events, see the links on the left side of this page or click on the highlighted event name in the descriptions below.

Fun & Festivities Following the Events

Complimentary food and beverages will be available for all participants at the finish area, as well as be available for spectators at a nominal cost. Expect live music and lots of door prizes. Plan to be part of this fun event at a beautiful time of the year at a fantastic site.

Great Tech-Ts for All Participants

All race proceeds are used for Birkie Trail maintenance and improvement.

New for 2010, the Birkie Trail Run Marathon Run is an individual running event.

The individual Marathon Run will include men's and women's divisions and 10 year age classes. All marathon runners must be at least 16 years of age on race day.

Relay Team categories include 3 person and 6 person "Open", "Womens" and "Mixed" Teams:

• "Open Teams" may include all men, all women, or any combination of genders.
• "Womens Teams" must have all women members.
• "Mixed Teams" must include at least one member who is of the opposite gender for 3-person teams, and at least two members of the opposite gender for 6-person teams.

All team members must be at least 12 years of age on Race Day. Teams will be handicapped based on participant ages and genders. Water, energy products and medical support will be available on the course, but teams will be responsible for transporting team members to specified relay exchange points using a single vehicle. Higher clearance vehicles are recommended.

The individual Half Marathon will include men's and women's divisions and 10 year age classes. All half marathon runners must be at least 16 years of age on race day.

The 13.1 mile (21K) Birkie Trek is a non-competitive, untimed Nordic Walk with poles modeled after European Volksmarches. Participants, age 16 and over walk the trail over this half marathon distance. Use of poles is recommended, but not required. Loaner poles will be available at no cost.

The 5K Fun Run/Walk is open to anyone age 12 or older on race day. This is also for you Trekkers who aren't quite ready for the Birkie Trek.

The Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K events are part of the 2010 Trophy Series. More information on the series is available here.

New this year! All finishers of the Birkie Trail Run Marathon, Half Marthon and the Birkie Trek will receive a great medal. See the designs below.

PLEASE, as a courtesy to all participants, no pets, leashed or unleashed, on the course.

2009 Event Summary

The 7th Annual Birkie Trail Run, Relay and Trek started on a crisp Fall morning along the beautiful American BIrkebeiner Trail. Runners, walkers and Nordic trekers enjoyed seeing the early Fall colors under bright sunny skies.

Over 600 athletes were registered for the Birkie Trail Run, Relay and Trek held on Saturday, September 26th.