American Birkebeiner

The Marathon Relay is a great way to team up with your family and friends on the beautiful Birkie Trail. This is a challenging yet fun race event on mowed, grassy trail, relatively free of rocks, roots or other obstacles from start to finish.

The relay gives all runners a chance to be part of this great Birkie Trail Run event. The relay legs vary in length and difficulty, so you can match runner abilities to the various sections of trail. The event is handicapped based on age and gender which really compresses the results and gives many teams the opportunity to come out on top.

• Relay teams should report to the start area at Hatchery Park, off Highway 77 outside of Hayward by 8 a.m. on race day.
• You will be directed to park your team vehicle in Rosies Field adjacent to the start line.
• The Relay Race will start promptly at 9 a.m.
• Teams will be allowed one (1) vehicle per team. There are rough portions on some of the forest roads that will be used. Four wheel drive vehicles are not necessary, but we strongly advise against use of vehicles with low clearance. SUVs, Outbacks and trucks can easily make it, as can most vehicles with reasonable clearance driven in a cautious manner. The ABSF will not responsible for any damage to vehicles.
• There will be a Mandatory Team Driver(s) Meeting at the relay start area at 8:30 a.m.
• Each Team will be provided with a Team Identification Placard that must be displayed on the dashboard of the Team vehicle.
• Teams will receive a map of the driving route that must be followed. The route will be well marked with arrows on pink signs. The route is designed to provide ample time for team cars to safely reach the next exchange point before your runner arrives. Teams not following the required route are subject to disqualification due to safety issues. The drive route is indicated in yellow on the Trail Run map. The route and course may be modified based on road conditions. Runners and Teams will be alerted at bib pick-up if a change is necessary.
• Water, energy drink and porta-potties will be available at the start and all Aid Station/Exchange Points (every 3 to 6 miles).
• Runners must pass their relay "baton" (we will supply a ponytail “tie” for the runners wrist) within the designated exchange zones that will be located in feed and aid stations. The exchange zones will be approximately 10’ x 30’ in size with orange traffic cones marking each corner of the rectangle. Runners waiting to receive the baton must be in the exchange zone when they receive the baton from the arriving runner. Spectators and other team members must stay clear of the exchange area.
• Team vehicles must in most cases park (“OO” is the exception) beyond the trail crossing as directed by parking staff. Traffic at the exchange points may be very congested and drivers must use extreme caution and yield to runners in the exchange area. Team drivers will have ample time to safely get to each exchange point - Please be careful!!

THERE IS NO RACE-DAY REGISTRATION
FOR THE BIRKIE TRAIL RUN EVENTS!

• Register online through Thursday, Sept. 22
• Register at the Birkie Office in Hayward (across from Marketplace parking lot) on Friday, Sept. 23, from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm
• Bag & Bib pick-up is Friday at the Birkie Office, starting at 9:00 am, and Saturday at Telemark, starting at 6:00 am.
   

• Marathon Relay runners may encounter Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K runners, and Birkie Trek Nordic walkers on the trail, especially near the end of the race.
• Aid Stations are located at: Mosquito Brook, Gravel Pit, 16.5K, "OO", Boedecker, Fire Tower, Timber Trail, and 4K from the Finish Line on the Korte Course

Map loads slowly. Please be patient.

Aid Stations #3 and #7 ARE NOT relay exchange points.

This is just one of the 55 teams signed up for the Birkie Marathon Relay, which is quickly becoming one of our most popular events. Each team is made up of either 3 or 6 members.

The Seeley 7 team has competed in all of the Birkie Trail Run & Trek Marathon Relay races and is coming back for more. Our own Jay Tapper, Fitness in 5, is on this team and sent along this description of its intrepid members and their mission. We think this photo says it all.

"This highly talented team is comprised of genetically superior males over the age of 50. The team has a large following of supporters which have become known as the Seeley 7 Nation. Known for their athleticism and sportsmanship, the Seeley 7 is one of the marquee teams entered in this year's event. The
team number 7 is in dedication to Gary 'Gordy' Penman whose goal was to run the first race but because of cancer participated as our driver."

Team Members:
- Pat Kaiser
- Jay Tapper
- Terry Penman
- Terry Tansey
- Tom Matthiae
- Randy Borchardt
- Kurt Proctor - Team Mechanic and Driver
- Cindy Ferraro - Handler
- Dennis Kruse - Junior Varsity
  (Someone tell Kaiser!")
 
 

Join us in any way, shape, or form on September 24.