Barkie Birkie | American Birkebeiner

Barkie Birkie
Event Options
Registration
Race Courses
Dog Requirements
Event Details
Schedule
Awards
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Results
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2023 Barkie Birkie Results »

Skijoring combines cross country skiing with dog power. The skier is attached to his/her dog with a belt and towline. The dog then runs ahead as the skier skis. Skijoring is a team sport which allows both human and canine counterparts to exercise and enjoy the great outdoors.

Skijoring is derived from the Norwegian word skikjøring meaning ski driving. The sport has been around for hundreds of years and originally started using reindeer and wooden skis. The sport also uses horses, but dogs are now the most common animals used in skijoring.

Most medium size dogs (30 pounds and up) who are trained properly can be candidates for skijoring.

Event Options

Choose from 3 different events! 5K, 3K, or 1K!

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.

Registration

Online registration closes on Tuesday, February 20, 2024 at 11:59 pm or when the race is full (150 racers), whichever comes first. Skiers must be at least 13 years old on race day.

	September 5, 2023 - February 18, 2024	February 19 - February 20, 2024
5K Skijor	$50	$60
3K Skijor	$50	$60
1K Fun Skijor	$50	$60

Race Courses

The race starts at the intersection of Main & 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 left onto the 1K Cut-off trail shortly after entering the golf course, then left on the return trail to Main Street.

Registration details subject to change.

Barkie Birkie Course

Dog Requirements

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.

Event Details

Getting to the Race

The Barkie Birkie begins at the Intersection of Main St. and 2nd St. Limited parking is found in the downtown area. Downtown Parking Thursday

Spectators are welcome to park in the Spectator Parking Lot on Hwy B and take continuous bus service to the Celebration Zone. See the Event Guide for times of bus service.

General Rules

Entry is limited to one person + 1 dog.
Skijorers may ski using either skate or classic technique.
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 owner’s responsibility and before or after the race 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.

Schedule

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

Bib Pickup

Bib pickup is in the Celebration Zone from 8:30 to 9:45am.

Warm Up

The Barkie Birkie is one of the action-packed Thursday Thrills events. 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.

Start Format

Skijorers must provide their own handler if there is any concern about maintaining adequate control in the start area. Handlers 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 of course 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 poling and hold their poles behind, low, and away from the passing team.
Skijorers must exhibit care, good judgment, and fairness whenever passing occurs.