Birkie Trail Run
September 23, 2023
Seven Events, One Amazing Day.
The events will traverse the rolling hills and twists & turns of the famous Birkie Trail. You’ll see beautiful vistas from atop Mt. Telemark and run on challenging hills, all within the beautiful forests of northwest Wisconsin. If you love to run on a great trail in the midst of nature, this is the event to put on your calendar NOW. Hills for breakfast anyone? See you in September!
The Birkie Trail Run Festival will start & finish at the American Birkebeiner Trailhead, in Cable, WI.
Registration
Registration for the 2023 Birkie Trail Run is Now Open!
Choose Your Event!
- Marathon (26.2 miles)
- 3-Person Marathon Relay (26.2 miles)
- 6-Person Marathon Relay (26.2 miles)
- Half Marathon (13.1 miles)
- Nordic Trek (8.5 mile hike with or without trekking poles)
- 5 km Run/Walk
- 1 km Kids Dash (Free but please register)
| Jan 2 thru May 18 | May 19 thru June 15 | June 16 thru August 10 | August 11 thru September 7 | September 8 thru September 22 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marathon | $90 | $100 | $110 | $120 | $130 |
| Marathon Relay, 3-person | $130 | $145 | $160 | $175 | $190 |
| Marathon Relay, 6-person | $260 | $290 | $320 | $350 | $380 |
| Half Marathon | $70 | $80 | $90 | $100 | $110 |
| Trek - 8.5 miles | $45 | $55 | $65 | $75 | $85 |
| 5 Km Run/Walk | $35 | $40 | $45 | $50 | $55 |
| 5 km Ages 12 and Under | $10 | $10 | $10 | $10 | $10 |
| 1 km Kids Dash Ages 9 and Under | FREE | FREE | FREE | FREE | FREE |
Relay Event Registration
The first member to register a team will pay for the entire team. Other members must register, but will not be charged. Only registered team members will receive a bib and trail run swag. We will place your team in the appropriate team category based on age on race day and gender of your participants.
Age Restrictions
Participants in the Half Marathon and Marathon Relay must be 13 years old or older by September 23, 2023. Marathon participants must be 18 years old or older by September 23, 2023.
Registration Deadlines
Register online until 7:00 p.m. on Friday, September 22, 2023. There is no in-person or race-day registration.
Team Relay registration closes on Tuesday, September 19th, 2023 at 11:59 p.m.
The first 1000 participants in the Birkie Trail Run events will receive the 2023 Birkie Trail Run event t-shirt. Register through September 1st to guarantee a shirt!
Race Change Requests
Participants may transfer their entry from one Birkie Trail Run event to another at any time until 11:59 pm CDT on Wednesday, September 20, 2023.
- To change your event/technique:
- Login to your RunSignUp profile.
- Scroll down to your event and click “Manage Registration”
- Click on “Transfer Event” (along either top or bottom menu)
- Select the event you want to transfer to and complete the registration
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 RELAY race change, please first register the NEW member(s), then email registration@birkie.com to remove the old member(s).
Marathon Relay Categories
Marathon Relay Teams will be placed in one of 12 categories:
| 3 Person Female Open | 3 Person Female Masters | 6 Person Female Open | 6 Person Female Masters |
| 3 Person Male Open | 3 Person Male Masters | 6 Person Male Open | 6 Person Male Masters |
| 3 Person Mixed Open | 3 Person Mixed Masters | 6 Person Mixed Open | 6 Person Mixed Masters |
- 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 23, 2023.
Protect Your Registration!
Get reimbursed up to 100% on your registration if you can’t compete for a number of reasons. Next Wave Insurance offers Regsaver so you can insure your non-refundable registration fee in case injury, illness, or another covered peril occurs.* Please see policy for complete list of covered perils at www.registrationsaver.com/birkie. Limitations and exclusions apply. Next Wave Insurance, CA License #: OF00755.
Learn More About RegSaver Registration Protection!
Birkie Trail Run Festival is a cupless event! Bring your own hydration vessel or during registration purchase a reusable and collapsible cup to use on course and at future races!
Cupless Racing in cooperation with HydraPak. Register by September 19th to purchase a cup during the registration process. You’ll get your HydraPak speed cup at bib pick-up.
Course Information
All events start and finish at the American Birkebeiner Trailhead in Cable, WI!
Time Limits
Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end and there are time limits for each event!
The following time limits are in place for each event:
- Marathon and Relay: 7 hours, must cross the finish line by 3 pm
- Half Marathon: 4 hours
- Trek: 4 hours
- 5K: 2 hours
Marathon & Marathon Relay
Presented by Carlson MD
Marathon Course Map
Total Distance: 26.2 miles
Get ready for two laps of the course!
- Over 2000 feet of total elevation climb on 2 laps of course.
- Marathon & Marathon Relay Course Description
Half-Marathon
Presented by Anderson’s Maple Syrup
Half Marathon Course Map
Total Distance: 13.1 miles
- One lap of the Marathon course
- Over 1000 feet of elevation gain on the course
- Half Marathon Course Description
5 km Run / Walk
Presented by Kemps
Total distance 5 km (3.1 miles)
5k Course Map
The 5km course will take you on the Birkie Skate trail to smaller ski trails and give you a tour of some of the expanded trail system around the American Birkebeiner Trailhead. With 350 feet of elevation gain, it’s a nice rolling course to put your legs to the test!
Nordic Trek
Presented by Leki Poles
Total distance: 8.5 miles
Nordic Trek Map
- 900 feet of elevation gain on the Trek course.
- The Trek course will follow most of the Half Marathon course, but head back to the finish earlier to offer a shorter distance. The Trek course will join with the 5K course after the Stadium aid station before making its way to the finish line. This event is timed for safety purposes, but no overall or age group awards are given.
1 km Kids Dash
Presented by Hayward Area Memorial Hospital
The 1 km Kids Dash course will start and finish at the American Birkebeiner Trailhead following ski trails for a fun run. No overall or age group awards are given, also no t-shirts available. Team Birkie will lead the kids around the 1K course! Total distance 1 km.
Dive for the Dirt
Kids can have fun and stay active all day at the Trail Run! Climb over, through, on, and in obstacles! Wear athletic shoes and bring some energy!
Bib Pick-Up
Bib Pick-up
- No Race Day Registration – Registration for individual races is available online only until Friday, September 22nd at 7:00 pm central time.
- All Relay Teams must be registered by 11:59 pm central time, Tuesday, September 19th.
Friday, September 22, 2023
Bib Pick-Up is from 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm at the American Birkebeiner Trailhead.
Saturday, September 23, 2023
Bib Pick-Up starts at 6:30 am at the American Birkebeiner Trailhead
Race Day Schedule & Information
Birkie Trail Run Event Schedule
| 6:30 AM | Bib Pick Up Opens |
| 8:00 AM | Marathon Start |
| 8:30 AM | Marathon Relay Start |
| 9:00 AM | Dive for the Dirt Kid's Obstacle Course Open |
| 9:15 AM | Half Marathon Start |
| 9:30 AM | Trek Start |
| 9:45 AM | 5K Start |
| 10:30 AM | Post Race Party Begins |
| 11:00 AM | 5K Overall & Age Group Awards |
| 11:35 AM | Half Marathon Awards - Overall & Age Class |
| 12:00 PM | Kid's Warm Up & 1 km Race |
| 12:45 PM | Marathon Awards - Overall & Relay |
| 1:15PM | Marathon Age Group Awards |
| 3:00 PM | Final Marathon Finish Cut-Off |
THERE IS NO RACE DAY REGISTRATION FOR THE BIRKIE TRAIL RUN EVENTS!
Getting to the Start
All of the races will start and finish at the American Birkebeiner Trailhead. Arrive at the start from Telemark Rd- take Hwy M east from Cable, take a right (south) on Telemark Rd., and follow the signs to parking and/or bib pick-up. Exit the start/finish area on McNaught Rd. There is ample parking at the American Birkebeiner Trailhead.
Aid Stations and Driving Route
There are three Aid Station locations for the Birkie Trail Run depending on the race. There are no aid stations on the 5K course. Aid Stations WILL NOT supply disposable paper cups. Bring your own hydration vessel.
If competing in the Marathon Relay, find Aid Station Locations and Driving Routes here.
Aid Station Locations:
- Timber Trail
- Stadium
- Birkie Trailhead (marathon only)
Marathon/Relay Cut-Off Times
| Time | Location |
|---|---|
| 11:30 am | Birkie Trail Head - second lap |
| 12:30 pm | Timber Trail Aid Station - second lap |
| 1:30 pm | Stadium - second lap |
| 3:00 pm | Birkie Trail Head - Finish |
Half Marathon Cut-Off Times
| Time | Location |
|---|---|
| 10:45 am | Timber Trail Aid Station |
| 11:45 am | Stadium |
| 1:30 pm | Birkie Trail Head - Finish |
Nordic Trek Cut-Off Times
| Time | Location |
|---|---|
| 11:30 am | Timber Trail Aid Station |
| 1:00 pm | Stadium |
| 1:30 pm | Birkie Trail Head - Finish |
Drop Outs
If you are dropping out of the race, please report to an Aid Station Chief or at the Finish.
Spectators
Spectators are encouraged to attend the event and bring encouragment and fun! The start/finish area and the Stadium Aid Station have the most space for cheering and parking. If you are planning to cheer on a runner at an aid station, please keep away from the immediate area around the workers. Keep in mind that parking space is limited at the Timber Trail aid station. If you would like to get text and/or email updates when a runner hits a race checkpoint, click here.
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, Great Hall, food, and spectator areas.
Train with Team Birkie
Make it a weekend of training and racing with Team Birkie! Meet the top skiers in the Midwest that are members of the newly formed Team Birkie. Stretch, learn, run, and rollerski with the Team to have an active and fun weekend!
Friday: 6pm, American Birkebeiner Trailhead. Join Team Birkie for a light stretch session and shake-out run to make sure you are limber for whichever race you participate in on Saturday. Learn how to plan your Saturday morning warm-up and optimize your fuel for race day. Meet outside of Bib Pick-up.
Saturday: Team Birkie athletes will be competing in the Half Marathon and Marathon. After they run, the athletes will be ready to take on the kid’s race! Team Birkie Athletes will warm up the kid’s and lead them out on the 1K course. See them at the finish line for chocolate milk!
Birkie Trail Run Expo
Birkie Trail Run Expo
Hours:
Friday, September 22: 3:00-7:00 pm
Saturday, September 23: 7:00-3:00 pm
Check out great new gear, ask questions, and get guidance from Birkie Trail Run partners! This is THE place to connect with organizations that support your passion for running and the Birkie community.
Stay tuned for a list of Birkie Trail Run Partners that will be onsite!
Awards
Marathon Awards
Overall
The top male and top female will receive a pair of Icebug running shoes!
The top 3 male and female marathon finishers will be awarded podium awards!
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 top male and top female will receive a pair of Icebug running shoes!
The top 3 male and female Half Marathon finishers will be awarded 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 top male and top female will receive a pair of Icebug running shoes!
The first three male and female finishers 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 category champions in the relay! Each team member from the winning teams will receive a pair of Icebug running 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
Travel, Lodging, & Childcare
North Woods Getaway
The Birkie Trail Run Events start and finish at the American Birkebeiner Trailhead, located about 17 miles north of Hayward, WI, the “Gateway to the Historic Northwoods” in the town of Cable, WI. Within driving distance from Duluth, MN 1:30, Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN 3:00, Madison, WI 4:50, and Chicago, IL 7:20.
Lodging Options
No onsite camping will be available in 2023.
For more information, please visit our lodging page to view the different lodging options that are around the area.
Celebrate Your Run
Post-Race Celebration
Hang out at the American Birkebeiner Trailhead after your run! Watch the awards ceremony, enjoy a meal (free for participants, for sale for spectators), and enjoy a complimentary brew from Earth Rider Brewery (one beer/participant, more for sale!).We’re looking forward to a fun, outdoor celebration!
Gear Up & Train to Run
Gear Up
Finding the right shoe for the trail can be difficult, Icebug has made it easy with their running shoe guide. Check out which shoe is right for your run.
Train to Run
Be ready for those Birkie hills! Running uphill often seems too hard or we try to run too quickly and explode. Improve your uphill technique with these tips.
Volunteer
Want to get involved, see the event up close and personal, be part of what makes Birkie events great? Become a Birkie Volunteer! Birkie Trail Run Festival Volunteer shifts will open Friday, June 23.
Click Here to Volunteer!
Results
2022 Birkie Trail Run Results
Birkie Trail Run Festival History
**Course lengths and routes have changed over the years so year to year time comparisons are not relevant.
Save the Date: September 28, 2024
Elite Athletes
The American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation is committed to supporting elite athletes at all of our events. Send inquiries to elite@birkie.com to see what support is available.
Sponsors
Title Sponsor
Overall Title Sponsor of the Birkie Trail Run Festival
Presenting Sponsors of the Birkie Trail Run Festival
Carlson MD
Presenting Sponsor
Marathon
Sidas
Presenting Sponsor
Marathon Relay
Anderson’s Maple Syrup
Presenting Sponsor
Half Marathon
Leki Poles
Presenting Sponsor
Trek
Kemps
Presenting Sponsor
5K
Hayward Area Memorial Hospital
Presenting Sponsor
1K Kids Race
Supporting Sponsors of the Birkie Trail Run Festival
Gold Circle Elite
Gold Level Sponsors of the Major Birkie Events Year-Round
Be Part of the Birkie and the Markets We Serve!
Meredith Ingbretson
Partnership Coordinator
American Birkebeiner® Ski Foundation
meredith.ingbretson@birkie.com
Andrew Manocheo
Partnership Director
American Birkebeiner® Ski Foundation
andrew.manocheo@birkie.com
