Birkie Trail Run Festival
September 27 - 28, 2019

Run the Birkie Trail amidst the Fall colors!

Registration for the 2019 Birkie Trail Run Festival will open January 1, 2019. SAVE THE DATE!

Age Restrictions

Participants in the Half Marathon, Marathon Relay, and Ultramarathon Relay must be 13 years old or older by September 28, 2019.
Marathon and Ultramarathon participants must be 18 years old or older by September 28, 2019.

Registration Deadlines

Register online until 7:00 p.m. on Friday, September 27th or in person at the Birkie Trail Run Vendor Fair 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.  There is no race-day registration.

Team Relay registration closes on Wednesday, September 25th at 11:59 p.m.

Race Change Requests

Participants may transfer their entry from one Birkie Trail Run event to another at any time until 4:00pm CST on Friday, September 20, 2019.  No partial refunds will be given if changing to a shorter event. All requests will be charged a $15 processing fee plus any increase in race fees, if applicable. To make a race change, please email registration@birkie.com.

Individual Event Fees

Relay Event Registration

The Team Captain must register and pay for the team.  Each Team Member must register individually under the same Team Captain and Team Name to be issued the team bibs.  We will place your team in the appropriate team category based on age on race day and gender of your participants.

Marathon Relay Categories

Marathon Relay Teams will be placed in one of 12 categories:

• 3-Person Teams must have 2 or 3 team members and may exchange at any of the 5 exchange zones at the marathon aid stations.
• 3-Person Mixed Teams must have one member of each gender.
• 6-Person Teams must have 4 to 6 team members and may exchange at any of the 5 exchange zones at the marathon aid stations.
• 6-Person Mixed Teams must have two members of each gender.  A 6-Person Team with only one person of either gender will not qualify for any team category.
• A Masters’ team requires ALL members to be 40+ years old as of September 28, 2019.

Ultramarathon Categories

Ultramarathon Relay teams will all be placed in one overall category.

Protect Your Registration!

Get reimbursed up to 100% on your Birkie Trail Run registration if you can’t compete for a number of reasons including:

• A covered illness or injury
• Pregnancy
• You have a traffic accident en route to your event
• Your car breaks down within 24 hours of the event
• One of the many other covered reasons

Event Registration Protector also comes with Competition Care: a 24 hour assistance hotline that can give you race-day information, find nearby equipment stores, and much, much more.  Learn More »

Friday, September 27, 2019

During the Vendor Fair located at Birkie Ridge from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

• No Race Day Registration – Registration for individual races is available online or in-person at the Expo until 7:00 p.m.
• All Relay Teams must be registered by 11:59 pm central time, Wednesday, September 25th.
• All Ultramarathon runners must pick up their bib on Friday – No race morning bib pick up for Ultramarathon

Saturday, September 28, 2019

In the Vendor Fair Tent beginning at 6:30 a.m.

All events, except for the Ultramarathon, start and finish near the big expo tent at the Birkie Ridge Trailhead located on Highway 63, 2.4 miles north of Seeley, WI.  The Ultramarathon starts at Birkie Ridge and finished in downtown Cable behind Rivers Eatery.

Google Map of 2017 Birkie Trail Run Courses

The Trail Run Project is a cool resource for exploring trails around the world, including interactive maps of the Birkie Trail Run Festival.

Marathon & Marathon Relay
Presented by Carlson MD and FITS

The individual Marathon course starts and finishes on a 1.5 mile out and back spur trail with a single counter clockwise loop in between. It is on 100 % trails, featuring the best of the rolling hills of the Birkie Trail and three sections of CAMBA single-track. The Birkie Trail is wide and grass covered. The profile is famous for its relentless terrain changes. The ups and downs, though relatively short in height difference, are steep, many in excess of 20%.  There are no huge, mountainous climbs, but the many small steep climbs add up to a lot of vertical.  There are 4 miles total of single-track. These sections have a dirt surface and are relatively smooth with occasional stones and roots. These sections include two of the longer climbs on the course, but are significantly less steep than the Birkie Trail. There is a one mile section of the course that utilizes the Northend Ski Trail. This section is similar in terrain and surface to the Birkie Trail but is much narrower. There are 5 aid stations along the course. Total Distance: 26.2 miles

• Marathon & Relay Course Map with Relay Driving Route
• Birkie Trail Run Festival Marathon and Relay Leg Course Profile
• 2018 Detailed Marathon Course Description with Relay Legs
• Relay Drive Route Cue Sheet

Half Marathon Presented by HydraPak

The Half Marathon is held on a shorter version of the Marathon course (see the description above). It is 100% trail and includes many of the Birkie Trail hills and a single, three mile section of CAMBA single-track. There are 3 aid stations along the course. Total Distance: 13.1 miles

• Half-Marathon Course
• Half-Marathon Course Profile 

100 km Ultramarathon
Presented by Rivers Eatery

The Ultramarathon course will follow the Marathon course for 1 lap, return to the start stadium and head out on another partial lap of the Marathon Course. The course will deviate from the Marathon course after the Timber Trail aid station and continue to the American Birkebeiner Trailhead.

The Ultramarathon is held on a loop course starting at the Birkie Ridge Trailhead and finishing in downtown Cable. The backbone of the course is the Birkie Ski Trail which is wide and grass covered. The profile is famous for its relentless terrain changes. The ups and downs, though relatively short in height difference, are steep, many in excess of 20%.  There are no huge, mountainous climbs, but the many small steep climbs add up to a lot of vertical.  There are approximately 28 miles total of CAMBA single-track. These sections have a dirt surface and are relatively smooth with occasional stones and roots. The single-track is much less steep than the Birkie Trail. It is generally fast and easy running. Total Distance: 62 miles

• 2018 Ultra Course Northern Section
• 2018 Ultra Course Description
• 2018 Ultra Details and Directions

Friday, Sept 27th 6:00 p.m. — Ultramarathon pre-race briefing at the Birkie Vendor Tent at Birkie Ridge (bib pick-up location)

5 km Run / Walk

The 5 km course will start and finish at the Birkie Ridge Trailhead, climb up the Birkie Ridge connector trail, turn on to a small forest road, then to a segment low traffic gravel road, then it turns into the the ski trails through the neighboring Nordic Ridge development, and then back into the field, heading to the finish. There is one drink station on the course. Total distance 5 km (3.1 miles)

• 5K Course Map
• 5K Course Profile

Nordic Trek

The 10 mile course is on 100% Birkie Trail. The course starts and finishes on a 1.5 mile out and back spur trail with a single counter clockwise loop in between. The profile features the best of the Birkie Trail’s relentless ups and down. The trail surface is wide and grass covered. There are two aid stations. Total distance; 10 miles.

• Nordic Trek Course Map

Dive for the Dirt & Kid’s 1K Fun Run
Presented by Hayward Area Memorial Hospital

Kids need something to do at the Birkie Trail Run, too!  Dive for the Dirt is an obstacle course with slack lines, cargo net crawls, balance beams, hay bale scrambles, tunnel crawls, and more!

The 1K Fun Run will travel through the field and woods at Birkie Ridge and inspire children to stay active!  Chocolate milk for all runners at the finish line!

THERE IS NO RACE DAY REGISTRATION FOR THE BIRKIE TRAIL RUN and TREK EVENTS (except for Kid’s Race)

Saturday, September 28 — Race Day Schedule

Getting to the Start

All of the races, except for the Ultramarathon, will start and finish at the Birkie Ridge Trailhead, 2.4 miles north of Seeley WI on Highway 63.  The Ultramarathon starts here and finishes in downtown Cable.  There is ample parking at Birkie Ridge, please enter the southern entrance and exit the north entrance.

Aid Stations

There are three Aid Station locations for the Birkie Trail Run (most are used twice) depending on the race.  Aid Stations WILL NOT supply disposable paper cups.  Bring your own hydration vessel.

Each aid station is staffed with friendly volunteers to help you refuel and offer medical assistance. The aid stations are supplied with water, Nuun Drink (Strawberry Blueberry flavor), GU Gels, fruit, and cookies.  All beverages will be in pitchers and volunteers will be prepared to re-fill your hydration vessel with your choice of fluid.

Cut-Off Times

Spectators

The most popular spectator points are near the Aid Stations. These are the only locations where the courses are near roads. See the Google Map of Birkie Trail Run Events for locations. If you are planning to cheer on a runner at an aid station, please keep away from the immediate area around the workers. The Fire Tower Aid Station is on a very rough road and is only accessible by a vehicle with high clearance.

Please … No Dogs at Event

To assure the safety of all participants and spectators, no pets or strollers are allowed on the course. Pets are also not allowed anywhere on the event grounds, including the course, start / finish line area, tent, food, and spectator areas. Pets must be confined it to the parking area at Birkie Ridge.

Every participant in the Birkie Trail Run, Relay & Trek events will receive a commemorative t-shirt and a post-race meal, including your first Birkie Brewski Beer or soda for free!

Must be present at the Award Ceremony to receive Overall and Age Class awards.  Awards will not be mailed after the event.

100k Ultramarathon Awards

Overall

Cash prizes provided by the presenting sponsor, Rivers Eatery, will be awarded to top overall male and female finishers in the 100k Ultramarathon according to the table below.

Age Class

Ultramarathon runners who finish within the 17.5 hour cut-off will receive a gift commemorating their finish.

Marathon Awards

Overall

The first male and female across the line in the Marathon will receive a certificate for a pair of Salomon shoes!  Second and third place overall will receive podium awards.

Age Class

The 1st, 2nd and 3rd place runners, male and female, will receive a special award in each of the following classes:

• Marathon – 18-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80+

Half Marathon Awards

Overall

The first male and female across the line in the Half Marathon will receive a certificate for a pair of Salomon shoes!  Second and third place overall will receive podium awards.

Age Class

The 1st, 2nd and 3rd place runners, male and female, will receive a special award in each of the following classes:

• Half Marathon – 13-17,18-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80+

5K Awards

Overall

The first male and female across the line in the 5k will receive a certificate for a pair of Salomon shoes!  Second and third place overall will receive podium awards.

Age Class

The 1st, 2nd and 3rd place runners, male and female, will receive a special award in each of the following classes:

• 5 km – 8 and under, 9-10, 11-12, 13-17, 18-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69,70-79, 80+

Marathon Relay Awards

Each team member of the overall first place 3- and 6-person relay teams will be awarded  a certificate for a pair of Salomon shoes!

Relays are awarded in the following categories: Open Men; Open Women; Open Mixed Gender; Master (40+)  Men; Master (40+) Women; Master (40+) Mixed Gender

Ultramarathon Relay Awards

Each team member of the overall first place team will be awarded a certificate for a pair of Salomon shoes!

There is only one category for the Ultramarathon relay.

North Woods Get Away

The Birkie Trail Run Events start and finish at the Birkie Ridge Trailhead, located in 12.5 miles north of Hayward, WI, the “Gateway to the Historic Northwoods” and 5 miles south of the town of Cable, WI. Within driving distance from Duluth, MN 1:20, Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN 2:40, Madison, WI 4:50, and Chicago, IL 7:00.

Camping

Pitch your tent or park your camper within sight of the start/finish! Camping is available at Birkie Ridge on Friday, September 27th and Saturday, September 28th.

There will be portable toilets, water,and community fire pit available.  No generators or pets allowed at the campground.

• Cost is $10 per night per camping unit (tent, RV, camper, etc)
• Pre-register online or at bib pick-up until 7 pm on Friday.
• Check-in and register on site from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Friday, & at bib pick-up on Saturday.
• Check-out is by 12-noon Sunday.

Click Here to register for Camping at Birkie Ridge Trailhead. For more information contact birkie@birkie.com.

Lodging Options Are Available from the Regional Tourism Offices

Hayward Lakes Visitor & Convention Bureau

Sawyer County, WI, USA
800-724-2992 or 715-634-4801
info@haywardlakes.com
www.haywardlakes.com

Hayward Area Chamber of Commerce

800-724-2992 or 715-634-8662
www.haywardareachamber.com

Cable Area Chamber of Commerce

800-533-7454
www.cable4fun.com

Rice Lake Tourism

800-523-6318 or 715-234-8888
www.ricelakewis.com/lodging/hotels-motels/

Ashland Chamber of Commerce

800-284-9484
www.visitashland.com

Post-Race Celebration—in the Big Tent!

All race participants can enjoy a post-race Mediterranean chicken sandwich (vegetarian option available) provided by the Corner Deli and their first Birkie Brew-Ski ale  included with their entry. Friends and family can purchase a meal for $5. There will be chocolate milk available for the kid’s after their race.

Saturday Night Celebration at Rivers Eatery

Join us at Rivers Eatery in Cable for an evening celebration. Rivers is one the finest hang-outs on the trails, famous for good pizza, good beer, and good people.  The Ultra Award Ceremony is at 6:00 pm.  All ultra runners will receive a free meal at Rivers after their race.

Click here for training advice.

Want to get involved, see the event up close and personal, be part of what makes Birkie events great? We’d love to hear from you! Contact the Birkie at 715-634-5025 x: 2 or birkie@birkie.com and put “Trail Run Volunteer” in the subject line. There is no obligation—we’re happy to answer your questions. Contact us today!

Click Here to Volunteer!

2018 Birkie Trail Run Results

2017 Birkie Trail Run Results

2016 Birkie Trail Run Results

2015 Birkie Trail Run Results

2014 Birkie Trail Run Results

2013 Birkie Trail Run Results

2012 Birkie Trail Run Results

2011 Birkie Trail Run Results

Birkie Trail Run & Trek History
**Course lengths and routes have changed over the years so year to year time comparisons are not accurate.

The American Birkebeiner Foundation has commitment to supporting elite athletes at all of our events. We can offer travel and lodging assistance to eligible competitors in the Birkie Trail Run races. Send inquiries to elite@birkie.com

Title Sponsor

Dr. Carlson
Presenting Sponsor
Marathon

FITS
Presenting Sponsor
Marathon Relay

HydraPak
Presenting Sponsor
Half Marathon – USATF Championship

The Rivers Eatery
Presenting Sponsor
100K Ultra

MMC & HAMH
Presenting Sponsor
Kids 1K and “Dive for the Dirt!”
Obstacle Course

Corner Deli
Presenting Sponsor
Post-Race BBQ

Check out our Birkie Vendor Fair with great gear, clothing, and more while you wait for your friends and family to cross the finish line and dig into the post-race BBQ from The Corner Deli. Find your favorite part of the festival at this year’s Birkie Trail Run!

• Salomon – Trail Running and XC Skiing!
• FITS Socks
• Citizens Climate Lobby
• Gear West
• Hayward Coffee Company
• Leki Poles
• Mainstream Boutique
• New Moon Ski & Bike
• Riverbrook Bike & Ski
• Telemark Vacation Condominiums
• Katie Wilkins Massage
• Plus …
  ABSF Booth – “Support Your Birkie Fever!”
  And, the Birkie Store