1000+ Runners Headed to Hayward, WI, for September 28 Birkie Trail Run Festival
Hayward, WI (September 17, 2019) – September 28, 2019 marks the 18th Birkie Trail Run Festival held on the legendary hills of the iconic Birkie Trail. The Birkie Trail Run half marathon, part of the Birkie Trail Run Festival weekend of events, has been named the host event for the 2019 USATF Wisconsin Half Marathon Trail Championships by USA Track & Field (USATF), Wisconsin Association. The Birkie Trail Run Festival is hosted by the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation (ABSF), the nonprofit organizers of the event, and is sponsored by Salomon.
“We are excited to host the USATF, Wisconsin Association Championship and to welcome Wisconsin’s best runners to the beautiful trails of the north woods,” said Ben Popp, ABSF Executive Director. “The annual Birkie Trail Run Festival hosts nine unique events in one-day, there really is something for everyone. It’ll be a great fall day on the Birkie Trail!”
Birkie Trail Run Festival – Half Marathon & USATF WI Trail Championship
The USATF Wisconsin Association Half Marathon Trail Championship event is a partnership between the ABSF and USATF, Wisconsin Association. 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.
Birkie Trail Run Festival
From the challenge and intensity of a 100-kilometer ultra-marathon to the fun of a 5-kilometer run/walk, over 1000 runners and trekkers 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, 100K ultra marathon relay (4 person), marathon, marathon relay (3 or 6 person teams), 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. Interested runners and trekkers have until Friday, September 27th at 7pm to register at www.Birkie.com.
The 2019 Birkie Trail Run Festival boasts a Vendor Fair, full roster of events, live music, north woods fare, cold craft beer by Earth Rider, on-site camping at Birkie Ridge, autumn leaves courtesy of Mother Nature, and Birkie Fever aplenty. The Birkie Trail Run Festival events, sponsored by Salomon, start and finish at Birkie Ridge Trailhead, 12.5 miles north of Hayward, Wisconsin, and 5 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.
New for 2019!
The 100k Ultra Marathon Relay – For the first time, runners can tackle the 100k ultra course with friends in the same spirit as our marathon relays. Teams of up to 4 people can work together to complete the epic ultra marathon together. Teams can split the course into 4 equal segments or give longer stretches to their most dominant runner. The Ultra and Ultra Relay events start at Birkie Ridge, but finish at Rivers Eatery in Cable, WI.
With a record field of Ultra Marathon runners (42) slated to participate and the addition of the new Ultra Marathon Relay, excitement for Saturday’s events is at a fever pitch.
Going Cup-less
For the first time ever, the Birkie Trail Run Festival will be completely cup-less. Participants will bring their own water vessels or had the option of securing reusable and collapsible cups during the registration process. As part of the Birkie’s new Birkie Green, sustainability & environmental responsibility initiative, going cup-less at this event alone will eliminate thousands of cups from landfills.
Costume Contest – 3 & 6 Person Marathon Relay Teams
New in 2019, relay team can put more fun in their run with the first-ever Relay Team Costume Contest. One 6-person relay team and one 3-person relay team will be selected as winners and will be announced during Relay Awards at the main podium. A special cold & refreshing prize pack, courtesy of Earth Rider Brewery, is on the line.
Posted September 17, 2019 at 5:00 pm
