Birkie Trail Run Festival
September 25 & 26, 2020 · Register Now!
A beautiful north woods run amidst the pines & beautiful Wisconsin fall colors!
New venue in 2020! The Birkie Trail Run Festival will start & finish at the American Birkebeiner Trailhead, in Cable, WI! The events will traverse the rolling hills and twists & turns of the famous Birkie Trail, as well as single-track sections of the CAMBA trail system. You’ll see beautiful vistas from atop Mt. Telemark, run by crisp cool waters, 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 ABSF is pleased that the Birkie Trail Run Festival’s half marathon has once again been named the USA Track and Field 2020 Half Marathon Trail Championship!
Registration
Plan now. Train now. Run together later!
August 5 Update
We are working closely with local public health agencies to make changes to the Trail Run schedule and activities to increase safety precautions and implement safety protocols. Some of the changes that participants will likely see will include changes to the schedule to spread out the start time of events, potential course changes, and changes to how we deliver aid station and finish line food and beverage. We are also offering a virtual option for those of you that want to stay motivated and active, but are feeling uncertain about travel. In-person registrations may be changed to virtual at any point until Wednesday, September 23. Watch our latest video for more information. Stay tuned for more details.
Choose Your Event!
- Ultramarathon (100 km / 62 miles)
- 4-Person Ultramarathon Relay (100 km /62 miles)
- 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 (10 mile hike with or without trekking poles)
- 5 km Run/Walk
New Option! A virtual option is now available! Choose your event at registration and then choose the virtual option. Your bib and t-shirt will be mailed to you and you can complete your event where ever you like. More details will be coming soon. In-person registrations may change to virtual any time before September 23.
Register Now!
At our recent Lumberjack Run, we implented a number of safety protocols, under the guidance of Sawyer County Public Health, designed to keep runners, volunteers and staff safe. Please watch the videos below to see the types of actions we’ll be taking at future Birkie events.
Age Restrictions
Participants in the Half Marathon, Marathon Relay, and Ultramarathon Relay must be 13 years old or older by September 26, 2020.
Marathon and Ultramarathon participants must be 18 years old or older by September 26, 2020.
Registration Deadlines
Register online until 7:00 p.m. on Friday, September 25. There is no in-person or race-day registration.
Team Relay registration closes on Wednesday, September 23rd at 11:59 p.m.
Register through September 1 to guarantee a Birkie Trail Run tee!
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 18, 2020 by completing this form. 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 email registration@birkie.com.
Individual Event Fees
| Jan 1 thru May 14 | May 15 thru June 18 | June 19 thru August 6 | August 7 thru September 10 | September 11 thru September 25 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 km Ultra Marathon | $110 | $120 | $130 | $140 | $150 |
| Marathon | $80 | $90 | $100 | $110 | $120 |
| Half Marathon | $70 | $80 | $90 | $100 | $110 |
| Trek - 10 miles | $45 | $55 | $65 | $75 | $80 |
| 5 Km Run/Walk | $35 | $40 | $45 | $50 | $55 |
| 5 km Ages 12 and Under | $10 | $10 | $10 | $10 | $10 |
Relay Event Registration
The Team Captain must register and pay for the team. Each Team Member must register individually under the same 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.
| Jan 1 thru May 14 | May 15 thru June 18 | June 19 thru August 6 | August 7 thru September 10 | September 11 thru September 23 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Person Marathon Relay (2 or 3 runners) | $120 | $135 | $150 | $165 | $180 |
| 6-Person Marathon Relay (4 to 6 runners) | $240 | $270 | $300 | $330 | $360 |
| 4-Person Ultramarathon Relay | $240 | $270 | $300 | $330 | $360 |
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 26, 2020.
Ultramarathon Categories
Ultramarathon Relay teams will all be placed in one overall category.
- 4-Person Teams of any gender combination. Team members can exchange at any of the Ultramarathon aid stations.
- Team members can run in any order and exchange as many times as determined by the team, as long as the exchange occurs at an Ultramarathon aid station.
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!
Course Information
Click to view the 2020 Birkie Trail Run Course Map PDFNew in 2020! All events start and finish at the American Birkebeiner Trailhead located on McNaught Rd in Cable, WI!
Marathon & Marathon Relay
Presented by Carlson MD and FITS
Total Distance: 26.2 miles
Get ready for two laps of the new, scenic course! The course from the American Birkebeiner Trailhead is a mix of Birkebeiner ski trail, single track, two track, and smaller ski trails. Participants will run through a variety of terrain with beautiful scenery all around. The race begins with a climb to the top of Mt. Telemark, make sure to enjoy the vista from the top! The Marathon course will take you down the face of Mt. Telemark and wind it’s way over to single track on CAMBA’s Esker Trail. The Esker Trail is wide single track that makes the most of the geologic, esker feature. Enjoy running at the top of the ridge surrounded by fall colors. The descent off the esker is fast and fun and will take you around a beautiful, secluded lake and onto mostly flat trails until Spider Lake Rd. After crossing the road, you’ll run on the newest section of CAMBA trail to North End Ski Trails. The wider, rolling hills will take you all the way to Timber Trail Rd. After Timber Trail Road, you’ll enjoy a mix of Birkie Trail, North End Trails, and CAMBA single track trails that will quickly take you back to the American Birkebeiner Trailhead and the finish!
Half-Marathon
Total Distance: 13.1 miles
We are proud to be hosting the 2020 USATF Half Marathon Trail Championship!
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.
The course from the American Birkebeiner Trailhead is a mix of Birkebeiner ski trail, single track, two track, and smaller ski trails. Participants will run through a variety of terrain with beautiful scenery all around. The race begins with a climb to the top of Mt. Telemark, make sure to enjoy the vista from the top! The Half Marathon course will take you down the face of Mt. Telemark and wind it’s way over to single track on CAMBA’s Esker Trail. The Esker Trail is wide single track that makes the most of the geologic, esker feature. Enjoy running at the top of the ridge surrounded by fall colors. The descent off the esker is fast and fun and will take you around a beautiful, secluded lake and onto mostly flat trails until Spider Lake Rd. After crossing the road, you’ll run on the newest section of CAMBA trail to North End Ski Trails. The wider, rolling hills will take you all the way to Timber Trail Rd. After Timber Trail Road, you’ll enjoy a mix of Birkie Trail, North End Trails, and CAMBA single track trails that will quickly take you back to the American Birkebeiner Trailhead and the finish!
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.
100 km Ultramarathon
Total Distance: 60 miles
The Ultra course will take runners across a variety of trails and terrain that will make 60 miles fly by. The course from the American Birkebeiner Trailhead is a mix of Birkebeiner ski trail, single track, two track, and smaller ski trails. Participants will run through a variety of terrain with beautiful scenery all around. The race begins with a climb to the top of Mt. Telemark, make sure to enjoy the vista from the top! The course will take you down the face of Mt. Telemark and wind it’s way over to single track on CAMBA’s Esker Trail. The Esker Trail is wide single track that makes the most of the geologic, esker feature. Enjoy running at the top of the ridge surrounded by fall colors. The descent off the esker is fast and fun and will take you around a beautiful, secluded lake and onto mostly flat trails until Spider Lake Rd. After crossing the road, you’ll run on the newest section of CAMBA trail until the Ultramarathon course turns south and the shorter courses head to the north. After crossing Timber Trail Rd., the ultra course will take Ojibwa (CAMBA single track) to the Birkie Classic trail. The Birkie Classic trail will take runners to Fire Tower Aid Station, where the course will turn 180 degrees and take the Birkie Skate trail north. At High Point, the course takes CAMBA single track, to the Birkie Skate Trail, back to Ojibwa, to North End Ski Trail to Timber Trail. From there, the Ultra course rejoins the shorter courses and makes its way back to the American Birkebeiner Trailhead. A total of 3 laps for 60 miles total.
Friday, Sept 25th 6:00 p.m. — Ultramarathon pre-race briefing in the Great Hall at the American Birkebeiner Trailhead (bib pick-up location)
5 km Run / Walk
Total distance 5 km (3.1 miles)
The 5K course will give anyone a good workout whether running, walking, or something in between! The race begins with a climb to the top of Mt. Telemark, make sure to enjoy the vista from the top! At the top of the climb, the 5K will take ski trails around the back of Mt. Telemark to the finish at the American Birkebeiner Trailhead. Don’t miss out on the chance to spend time in the fall colors and get a great run in!
Nordic Trek
Total distance: 10 miles
The 10 mile course follows some of the most beautiful trails the area has to offer. The trek is a perfect way to enjoy time out in the woods with a distance that challenges, and a format that lets you decide what to focus on. The trek isn’t timed, but still affords you all the benefits of an event without the stress of worrying about miles per hour. The course from the American Birkebeiner Trailhead is a mix of Birkebeiner ski trail, wide single track, two track, and smaller ski trails. The race begins with a climb to the top of Mt. Telemark, make sure to enjoy the vista from the top! Then down the face of Mt. Telemark and over to single track on CAMBA’s Esker Trail. The Esker Trail is wide single track that makes the most of the geologic, esker feature. Enjoy trekking at the top of the ridge surrounded by fall colors. The descent off the esker will take you around a beautiful, secluded lake and onto mostly flat trails until Spider Lake Rd. After crossing the road, you’ll be on the newest section of CAMBA trail to North End Ski Trails. From there, the trek will turn off of the Half Marathon course and take ski trails back to the finish at the American Birkebeiner Trailhead.
Bib Pick-Up
Friday, September 25, 2020
During the Vendor Fair located in the Great Hall at the American Birkebeiner Trailhead from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
- No Race Day Registration – Registration for individual races is available online only until 7:00 p.m.
- All Relay Teams must be registered by 11:59 pm central time, Wednesday, September 23rd.
- All Ultramarathon runners must pick up their bib on Friday – No race morning bib pick up for Ultramarathon.
Saturday, September 26, 2020
In the Great Hall beginning at 6:30 a.m.
Race Day Schedule & Information
THERE IS NO RACE DAY REGISTRATION FOR THE BIRKIE TRAIL RUN FESTIVAL EVENTS!
Saturday, September 26 — Race Day Schedule
2020 Race Day Schedule Coming Soon!
Getting to the Start
All of the races will start and finish at the American Birkebeiner Trailhead, 2.7 miles east of Cable, WI off of McNaught Rd. There is ample parking at the American Birkebeiner Trailhead.
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. The aid stations are supplied with water, Nuun Endurance Drink, and GU Gels. All beverages will be self-serve or served from pitchers by volunteers to re-fill your hydration vessel.
Ultramarathon Support
Ultramarathon participants may have drop bags transported to aid stations. All drop bags must have the runner’s name and the name of the aid station clearly marked on them. Bags must be brought to the pre-race meeting on Friday evening. Drop bag service will not be offered for any other race distances.
Drop Outs
If you are dropping out of the race, please report to an Aid Station Chief or at the Finish. All Ultramarathon runners that drop out must report to Command Central. See Ultramarathon participant guide for more information.
Lights
Ultramarathon runners will need a light for at least a portion of the race. Sunrise is at 7:00 am and sunset at 6:52 pm. Unless you plan on finishing long before sunset, you should plan on having access to a light. Runners will not be allowed to leave an aid station after 5:00 pm without a light.
Spectators
We all love spectators at events, however, 2020 may look different. Please stay tuned for guidance on whether spectators will be encouraged to attend the event or cheer from afar.
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.
Awards
Every participant in the Birkie Trail Run events will receive a post-race meal, including your first beer or soda for free! The first 900 registered will receive a commemorative t-shirt.
The 2020 award ceremony will look different. Please stay tuned for award procedures.
100k Ultramarathon Awards
Overall
The top male and female runners will receive a certificate for a pair of Salomon shoes!
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.
Cash prizes for the Half Marathon, male and female:
- 1st place $500
- 2nd place $250
- 3rd place $100
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 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.
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 2020.
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
The post-race celebration may look differently than in a typical year. We’ll keep you updated with the latest and what you can expect from our friends at the Corner Deli and 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’d love to hear from you!
Click Here to Volunteer!
Results
2019 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 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
Videos
Sponsors
Title Sponsor
Carlson MD
Presenting Sponsor
Marathon
FITS
Presenting Sponsor
Marathon Relay
The Rivers Eatery
Presenting Sponsor
100K Ultra & Ultra Relay
MMC & HAMH
Presenting Sponsor
Kids 1K and “Dive for the Dirt!”
Obstacle Course
Corner Deli
Presenting Sponsor
Post-Race Lunch
Vendor Fair
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!
