Birkie Trail Run
Save the Date: September 22-23, 2023

2022 Birkie Trail Run Results »

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 2022 Half Marathon Trail Championship!

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 24, 2022. Marathon participants must be 18 years old or older by September 24, 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.

The first 1000 participants in the Birkie Trail Run events will receive the 2022 Birkie Trail Run event t-shirt. Register through September 1 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 21, 2022.

• 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 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.

2022 BTR COVID19 Policy

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.

Any participant, volunteer, spectator, or staff that exhibits symptoms of COVID-19 should stay home.

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 

We are proud to be hosting the 2022 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 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!

• 5k Course Description
• 5k Course Map

Nordic Trek
Presented by Leki Poles

Total distance: 8.5 miles *Due to trail construction, the Trek is now 9 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

• 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, 2022

Bib Pick-Up is from 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm at the American Birkebeiner Trailhead.

Saturday, September 24, 2022

Bib Pick-Up starts at 6:30 am at the American Birkebeiner Trailhead

Birkie Trail Run Event Schedule

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

Half Marathon Cut-Off Times

Nordic Trek Cut-Off Times

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 follow all COVID19 safety protocols. Please perform a self check before attending the event and stay home if you are not feeling well.   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.

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!

Sunday: Join the Team for FREE Rollerski Clinic and an Over Distance rollerski. Team Birkie athletes will lead the clinic (both skate and classic) and have demo rollerskis on hand provided by Finn Sisu. Meet at Telemark and be ready to ski at 9:00am.

Birkie Trail Run Expo

Hours:
Friday, September 23rd – 3:00-7:00 pm
Saturday, September 24th – 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.

Partners that will be onsite include:

• Backroads Coffee – Serving Coffee inside the Great Hall
• Birkie Store
• Anderson’s Maple Syrup
• Fits Socks
• Fluid Health
• GU Energy Labs
• Icebug
• Leki
• New Moon Ski and Bike Shop
• Sidas
• Voyageur Custom Saunas
• Heartwood Resort  and Conference Center
• Birchleggings Club

Are you a ABSF Member or want to learn more? ABSF Development directors will be present throughout the Trail Run Expo with further information about the Foundation and recovery for ABSF Members participating in the Trail Run!

Marathon Awards

Overall

The top male and top female will receive a gift certificate from Icebug for a pair of running shoes! This gift certificate will be good for any pair of their running shoes listed on icebug.com/birkietrailfest

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 male and top female will receive a gift certificate from Icebug for a pair of running shoes! This gift certificate will be good for any pair of their running shoes listed on icebug.com/birkietrailfest

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 top male and top female will receive a gift certificate from Icebug for a pair of shoes! Visit icebug.com/birkietrailfest

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 gift certificate from Icebug for a pair of shoes! Visit icebug.com/birkietrailfest

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

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 2022.

For more information, please visit our lodging page to view the different lodging options that are around the area.

Childcare Options

Junior Naturalist Camp at the Cable Natural History Museum

Drop-off program for kids in grades K-6 offers environmental education through games, art, ad outdoor exploration at the Cable Natural History Museum’s Wayside Wanderings Natural Play Area. Activities begin at 8:00 a.m. and last until 11:30 a.m. Early drop-off, lunch, and late pick-up are available for Birkie Trail Run participants. Register by September 9th! Cost is $25.00, plus $10.00 for lunch and late pick-up.

715-798-3890
https://www.cablemuseum.org/event/junior-naturalist-day-camp/

Post-Race Celebration

Hang out at the American Birkebeiner Trailhead after your run! Watch the awards ceremony, enjoy lunch cooked by the Seeley Lions (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

Stay well hydrated at the Birkie Trail Run. You will carry your own hydration — water refill will be available. Shop for hydration gear at New Moon Ski & Bike and use coupon code pack20 to receive 20% off Osprey and CamelBak products available in-store. Order online or pick-up in-store at New Moon.

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.

Tips on Trail Running »
Training Plans »

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 24

Click Here to Volunteer!

2022 Birkie Trail Run Results

2021 Birkie Trail Run Results

2020 Birkie Trail Run Results

2019 Birkie Trail Run Results

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 Festival History
**Course lengths and routes have changed over the years so year to year time comparisons are not relevant.

Save the Date: September 22-23, 2023

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.

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