1000+ Runners Headed to Hayward, WI, for September 28 Birkie Trail Run Festival
Hayward, Wisc. (September 26, 2019) – The 18th Birkie Trail Run Festival, held on the legendary hills of the iconic Birkie Trail, is this Saturday, September 28. For the first time ever, the Birkie Trail Run Festival will be completely cup-less. Participants will bring their own water vessels or use reusable and collapsible cups purchased during the race’s registration process. As part of the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation’s (ABSF) new Birkie Green, sustainability & environmental responsibility initiative, going cup-less at this event alone will eliminate thousands of cups from landfills.
The Birkie Trail Run Festival is hosted by the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation, the nonprofit organizers of the event, and is sponsored by Salomon.
“We are excited to launch Birkie Green by going cup-less at the Birkie Trail Run Festival. Birkie Green is an important initiative for all of us.” said Ben Popp, ABSF Executive Director.
From the challenge and intensity of a 100-kilometer ultramarathon to the fun of a 5-kilometer run/walk, over 1000 runners and trekkers from 23 states and two countries will take to the Birkie Trail for a day of fun, camaraderie, and outdoor adventure in the beautiful forests of northwest Wisconsin. Nine events complete the roster – including a 100K ultra marathon, new in 2019 – a 100K ultra marathon relay (4 person), marathon, marathon relay half marathon, Nordic Trek, 5K run/walk, youth 5K, and 1K Kid’s Fun Run (free for ages 9 and under), and Dive for the Dirt obstacle course for kids – there is a north woods trail experience available for every ability level.
“Saturday’s forecast looks perfect and the colors should be beautiful. It’ll be a great fall day for a run, trek, or walk on the Birkie Trail. With nine unique events happening on Saturday, there’s an event for every person interesting in participating,” continued Popp.
The Birkie Trail Run Festival events start and finish at Birkie Ridge Trailhead, 12.5 miles north of Hayward, Wisconsin, and five miles south of Cable, Wisconsin; ultra events finish in downtown Cable, WI. The nine Birkie Trail Run Festival events place runners and trekkers on some of the most scenic stretches of the famous Birkie Trail and single-track sections of the CAMBA trail system.
The 2019 Birkie Trail Run Festival also hosts a Vendor Fair which is open to the public, full roster of events, north woods fare by Northern Lakes Corner Deli, cold craft beer by Earth Rider, on-site camping at Birkie Ridge, autumn leaves courtesy of Mother Nature, and lots of Birkie Fever.
The Birkie Trail Run Festival’s half marathon race was recently named the USATF WI Association Half Marathon Trail Championship event. Elite athletes from Wisconsin and citizen runners alike will participate in the race at Birkie Ridge. The half marathon race is held on 100-percent trail and includes many of the well-known Birkie Trail hills, as well as a three-mile section of Chequamegon Area Mountain Bike Association (CAMBA) single-track. Competitors will contend for the Birkie Half Marathon overall and age class awards, however, only Wisconsin residents who are members of the USATF are eligible to win USATF Wisconsin Association Championship awards.
Runners interested in participating in the Birkie Trail Run Festival can register until Friday, September 27 at www.birkie.com. Registration is closed for all Birkie relay events.
Sponsors of the Birkie Trail Run Festival include: Salomon, Brent Carlson, M.D., FITS, The Rivers Eatery, Hayward Memorial Hospital, Northern Lakes Cooperative Corner Deli, Earth Rider Brewery, Anderson’s Maple Syrup, nuun, GU, CLIF, Hayward Coffee Co., Kemps, Marketplace Foods, and Timber Ford of Hayward.
Posted September 26, 2019 at 12:06 pm
