Barkie Birkie

Thursday, February 19, 2026
Skijor 1K, 3K, 5K Race
Main Street, Hayward, WI

Barkie Birkie is one of Birkie Week’s most beloved events. Skiers and their dogs form a skijoring team to compete either a 5km, 3km, or 1km course that finishes to cheering crowds on Main Street in Hayward, WI. Skijoring, derived from the Norwegian word skikjøring meaning “ski driving,” has been in practice for hundreds of years. Join this Northwoods tradition and combine human skiing and canine power for a truly fun winter experience. #Birkie2026

Most properly-trained medium size dogs (30 pounds and up) can be candidates for cani-cross racing.

The 5K is for fast, experienced teams that can finish a 5K race in 25 minutes or less.

The 3K is for teams that can complete a 3K race in 25 minutes or less.

The 1K is for teams new to the sport or just looking for a fun experience. Teams have 25 minutes or less to complete 1K. No awards will be given for the 1K, but all participants will receive a finisher medal.

Race Start: Intersection of Main Street & Second Street

Race Finish: The American Birkebeiner Finish Line on Main Street

Limited parking is found in downtown Hayward. We encourage spectators to utilize the designated spectator parking lot on Hwy B (noted in orange on the map below). Buses will run continuously from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm from the Spectator Lot to the Registration Bus Stop, and from the Registration Bus Stop and the Celebration Zone Bus Stop to the Spectator Lot. Parking restrictions are in place on most of the downtown area streets.

Note: Dogs are NOT allowed on shuttle buses.

8:00 am to 9:15 am – Celebration Zone Tent

Participants will receive their cloth race bib at bib pick-up. Race bibs worn by skijorer must be visible at all times to ensure proper race results! To avoid congestion, we recommend just one representative per dog pick up bib(s).

Note: Dogs are NOT allowed inside of the tent.

Thank you!

Event	Location	Time
Warm Up	Main Street & Golf Course	8:00 to 9:00 am
Bib Pick Up	Celebration Tent	8:00 to 9:15 am
5 km Start	Main & 2nd Streets	9:00 am
3 km Start	Main & 2nd Streets	9:45 am
1 km Funskijor Start	Main & 2nd Streets	10:15 am
Awards	Celebration Plaza	Following 1K Funskijor race

Course Maps

Course Descriptions

All races will start at the intersection of Main Street and 2nd Street in Hayward and heads up Main Street to 6th Street. The course then turns left onto 6th Street and right onto the fields behind the Hayward Primary School.

From there a large loop circles the Hayward Golf Course. At the completion of the loop the 5K Skijorers will ski a second lap of the same loop. The 3K Skijorers will complete only one lap on the golf course. After completing the required number of laps racers retrace their route back to 6th Street, turn right on Main Street, finishing at the start area. The 1K Course will follow the same route as the other races but will turn right onto the 1K Cut-off trail shortly after entering the golf course, then right on the return trail to Main Street.

Note: Final race course(s) and distances are subject to change due to conditions.

Warm-up

Warm up is Main Street and the golf course before the 1st race, in the direction of race travel. Access to the golf course is behind the Hayward Intermediate School on 5th Street, only two blocks from the bib pick up tent in the Celebration Zone.

Dog Requirements

Entry is limited to one person per dog
All dogs must be sufficiently fit to be able to complete the course without risk of injury
Dogs must be healthy and have up-to-date vaccinations
Dogs must be treated humanely at all times
Dogs must be controlled and kept from other teams
Loose dogs are not permitted at any time
Aggressive dogs are prohibited from the event
Waste is the dog owners responsibility and it must be picked up immediately

Equipment Requirements

Skate or Classic skis are allowed
Metal ski edges are not permitted
Skijor belt is required and must be padded
Towline must use internal bungee
The distance between the skijorer and the dog should be between 7 feet and 10 feet
A pulling style dog harness is required with padding around the neck area
Each dog must wear a snug fitting dog collar
Under no circumstances can the towline be attached to the dog’s collar or any harness not specifically designed for pulling

Start

Skijorers must provide their own handler if there is any concern about maintaining adequate control in the start area. Handles may not stay in the start/finish area while the team is on-course
The front tips of the skijorer’s skis must be behind the start line prior to the signal to start. The dog may start “lined out” ahead of the start line
The skijorer’s race bib must be visible to race officials

On-Course

There are a few sections with two-way traffic
Skijorers must stay to the right if facing an oncoming team

Passing

A passing skijorer must execute a pass only when conditions are safe
The skijorer must shout “Trail”, “On your left”, etc. before attempting to pass
The skijorer being passed should slow and move to the side of the trail, if possible
The skijorer being passed should stop polling and hold their poles behind, low, and away from the passing team
Skijorers must exhibit care, good judgement, and fairness whenever passing others

Finish

Skijorers must exit the finish area as soon as possible
No finish line food or beverages will be available
Dogs are NOT allowed in the Celebration Tent after the Barkie Birkie Skijor races