Birkie Trail Run Festival
September 23-24, 2022
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.
The ABSF is pleased that the Birkie Trail Run Festival’s half marathon has once again been named the USA Track and Field 2021 Half Marathon Trail Championship!
Registration
2022 Registration 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 1 thru May 17 | May 18 thru June 16 | June 17 thru August 4 | August 5 thru September 8 | September 9 thru September 23 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 25, 2022. Marathon participants must be 18 years old or older by September 25, 2022.
Registration Deadlines
Register online until 7:00 p.m. on Friday, September 23, 2022. There is no in-person or race-day registration.
Team Relay registration closes on Wednesday, September 21st at 11:59 p.m.
Register through September 1 to guarantee a Birkie Trail Run t-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 Friday, September 16, 2022. To transfer events, click here, find your registration and click on “Transfer Race” on the bottom of the page. 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 24, 2022.
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 Sponsored by HydraPak. Register by September 19th to purchase a cup during the registration process. You’ll get your HydraPak speed cup at bib pick-up.
2021 BTR COVID19 Policy
Based on CDC guidance and levels of COVID19 transmission in local communities, all attendees of the Birkie Trail Run will be required to wear masks in indoor spaces. Masks are encouraged for participants in the start area or anywhere it is difficult to maintain 6 ft. distance from others. Participants are encouraged to be vaccinated or have a negative COVID-19 test before coming to the Birkie Trail Run and Hayward/Cable area. Complete a symptom self-checker before attending the event and do not attend the event if you are feeling ill for any reason.
Additional precautions: indoor spaces will be limited at the 2021 Birkie Trail Run; aid stations will offer self serve water and Nuun and again be cupless; Ultramarathon food preparation on course will be limited; masks will be available at the start/finish, aid stations, and bib pickup.
Any participant, volunteer, spectator, or staff that exhibits symptoms of COVID-19 should stay home.
Course Information
All events start and finish at the American Birkebeiner Trailhead located on McNaught Rd 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 and Earth Rider Brewery
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
We are proud to be hosting the 2021 USATF Half Marathon Trail Championship!
Participants do not have to be USATF members to run in the half marathon, but must have a valid USATF membership to place on the USATF Half Marathon Trail Championship podium. Click here for more information on WI USATF membership. For more information on the USATF Half Marathon Trail Championships, please email kristy.maki@birkie.com.
Athletes who participate in National Championships and Team USA competitions are subject to drug testing performed by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) in accordance with the USADA Protocol for Olympic and Paralympic Movement Testing.
5 km Run / Walk
Presented by Kemps
Total distance 5 km (3.1 miles)
5k Run/Walk 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 *Due to trail construction, the Trek is now 9 miles!
- 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 23rd at 7:00 pm central time.
- All Relay Teams must be registered by 11:59 pm central time, Wednesday, September 21st.
Friday, September 23, 2021
Bib Pick-Up is from 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm at the American Birkebeiner Trailhead.
Saturday, September 24, 2021
Bib Pick-Up starts at 6:30 am at the American Birkebeiner Trailhead
Awards
The first 1000 participants in the Birkie Trail Run events will receive the 2022 Birkie Trail Run event t-shirt. Stay tuned for the 2022 design!
Marathon Awards
Overall
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
A total of $6000 in prize money!
Overall
The top 3 male and female Half Marathon finishers will be awarded podium awards!
Cash prizes for the Half Marathon, male and female:
- 1st place $1000
- 2nd place $800
- 3rd place $600
- 4th place $400
- 5th place $200
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+
USATF Half Marathon Trail Championship
The first male and female USATF members across the finish line will win the USATF Half Marathon Trail Championships! Make sure your USATF number is current or become a member here.
USATF members are also eligible for USATF Age Group Awards in the following categories:
- Open (top 10)
- 40-44
- 45-49
- 50-54
- 55-59
- 60-64
- 65-69
- 70-74
- 75-79
- 80-84
- 85-89
- 90-94
5K Awards
Overall
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!
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
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 Are Available from the Regional Tourism Offices
No onsite camping will be available in 2021.
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
Celebrate Your Run
Post-Race Celebration
We’re looking forward to a fun, outdoor celebration with a complimentary brew from Earth Rider Brewery.
Gear Up
Stay well hydrated at the Birkie Trail Run. You will carry your own hydration and fuel with you for this event—water refill will be available. Find the perfect solution for you, from handhelds to packs. Click here for hydration gear options.
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?
We love Birkie Volunteers!
Click Here to Volunteer!
Results
2021 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.
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.
Videos
Sponsors
Title Sponsor
Carlson MD
Presenting Sponsor
Marathon
Earth Rider Brewery
Presenting Sponsor
Marathon Relay
Sidas
Presenting Sponsor
100K Ultra / Ultra 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
Northern Lakes CooperativePresenting Sponsor
Post-Race Lunch
