Caitlin Gregg2016 Half-Marathon Champion
(Olympian/Nordic)
Corrine Malcom2016 Marathon Champion
(USTAF 50-Mile National Champion)
Brian Gregg2016 Half-Marathon Champion
(Olympian/Nordic)
2016 Birkie Trail Run and Trek
Hayward, WI (October 1, 2016) – The first runners across the finish line at Birkie Ridge on Saturday afternoon, October 1, were greeted by cheering fans under a sunny blue sky amidst a backdrop of leaves painted in yellows, greens and golds. Spectators flooded the festival grounds creating an energetic atmosphere for runners and trekkers alike. For marathon runners hoping to secure their spot on the podium in the Birkie Trail Run marathon, designated as the 2016 USA Track and Field (USATF) championship for the state of Wisconsin, it was an especially festive vibe.
The breeze was cool, but the pace was hot as finishers blazed across the finish line.
Women’s marathon winner, Corrine Malcolm, originally from Hayward, WI, now Vancouver, B.C., finished the marathon with a time of 3:27:17. Malcolm, the current USATF 50 Mile National Champion will be representing the United States at the International Association of Ultra-runners (IAU) Trail World Championships in Portugal this October.
“It was such a treat to come home and race on the trails I grew up on. Winning was the icing on the cake! The trails were in great condition and the community presence on the trail and at the finish made it a really special day for me,” said Malcolm. “Now, hopefully, I’ll get to come home and ski the Birkie this winter,” she continued.
Men’s marathon winner, Andy Elvester, from Minnetonka, MN, finished his race in 2:58:58. He was unavailable for comment.
Malcolm and Elvester both earned $800 in cash and prizes as first place marathon finishers.
Tammi Braund, took second place in this year’s Birkie Trail Run marathon, after winning the same race in 2015. “I was honored to take second to Corrine. She is an amazing runner,” said Braund. “The trail was just as challenging as I remember it to be last year,” she said with a smile. Braund is a member of the Cyclova XC Running and Cross-Country Ski Team.
Third place women’s marathon finisher, Sydney Ringheim hadn’t run in an event in four years. She noted that it was special to run through the Boedecker Aid Station twice during the race as her daughter Ingrid (13) was volunteering and could be heard cheering “Good Job Mom” as Ringheim passed through the area. “It was a great day on a beautiful trail,” stated Ringheim.
Brian and Caitlin Gregg, Minneapolis, Minnesota, are Birkie Ambassadors, Olympians, and highly decorated Nordic cross-country skiers. The pair took first place honors in the Birkie Trail Run half-marathon, with times of 1:22:48 and 1:33:24, respectively. While at the Birkie Trail Run & Trek, Team Gregg spent time mentoring young athletes and hosted the 1K kid’s race. Caitlin Gregg is a four-time winner of the American Birkebeiner cross-country ski race; Gregg’s fourth American Birkebeiner victory put her in the Birkie record books with the most wins ever, man or woman.
Joel LaFrance, Plymouth, MN, podiumed with a second place finish in the men’s half-marathon with a time of 1:24:43. LaFrance placed fourth in the same race in 2015 and is a member of the Gear West and Waxbenches.com teams.
Katlyn Stout took second in the 2016 Birkie Trail Run half-marathon with a time of 1:34:52, after placing first in the same race in 2015.
Later in the afternoon the excitement was palpable as two ultra-marathon runners raced to the finish line separated by only moments. The runners started their 61.7-mile journey at 5:30am under dark skies with only stars and headlamps to light their way. They were greeted by cheering family, friends, Birkie Trail Run participants, and spectators, as they crossed the finish line.
Final Results:
Ultra
- Chris Lundberg – age 33; time: 9:35:12; Victor, Idaho
- Matthew Cooper – age 37; time: 9:36:58; Washburn, WI
- Dan Harke – age 32; time: 11:11:05; Rochester, MN
Men’s Marathon
- Andy Elvester – age 37; time: 2:58:58; Minnetonka, MN
- Wynn Davis – age 35; time: 3:07:13; Stillwater, MN
- Jan Myrda – age 45; time: 3:10:58; Palos, IL
Women’s Marathon
- Corrine Malcolm – age 26; time: 3:27:17; Vancouver, B.C., Canada
- Tammi Braund – age 37; time: 3:46:59; Cushing, WI
- Sydney Ringheim – age 47; time 4:07:16; Hayward, WI
Women’s Half-Marathon
- Caitlin Gregg – age 35; time: 1:33:24; Minneapolis, MN
- Katlyn Stout – age 27; time: 1:34:52; Duluth, MN
- Kim Rudd – age 45; time: 1:38:26; Plymouth, MN
Men’s Half-Marathon
- Brian Gregg – age 32; time: 1:22:48; Minneapolis, MN
- Joel LaFrance – age 35; time: 1:24:43; Plymouth, MN
- David Ullman – age 36; time: 1:28:41; Ashland, WI
From the challenge and intensity of a 100K ultra marathon to a marathon, half-marathon, marathon relay, and 10-mile Nordic trek, there were over 1000 participants in the 15th Birkie Trail Run & Trek, sponsored by Salomon. Comprised of eight events that started and finished at Birkie Ridge Trailhead, 12.5 miles north of Hayward, Wisconsin, the events placed runners and trekkers on some of the most scenic and challenging stretches of the famous Birkie Trail and single-track sections of the CAMBA (Chequamegon Area Mountain Bike Association) trail system.
The Birkie Trail Run & Trek was sponsored by Salomon (title sponsor); Brent Carlson, M.D. (presenting marathon sponsor); FITS (presenting sponsor marathon relay); Hydro Flask (presenting sponsor half-marathon); HydraPak (presenting sponsor 100K ultra marathon); Out There (presenting sponsor Trek); Corner Deli (presenting sponsor 5k & post-race barbecue and beverage); Nuun; GU; Clif; Hayward Coffee Co.; Kemps; Marketplace Foods; and 92.3 WRLS Radio.
What began with a ski race in 1973 has grown into a year-round, healthy, active lifestyle movement with the ABSF at the center of Birkie Trail activities. The Birkie has grown its programming into an exciting array of fitness and recreational opportunities. The over 100-kilometer Birkie Trail system attracts skiers, runners, bikers, trekkers, and hikers, from casual day-trippers to elite superstars.
Posted October 1, 2016 at 9:07 pm
