Junior Birkie
Thursday, February 23, 2023, 2pm
The Junior Birkie is for Junior skiers that are ready to race!
Individual Races
The event starts behind the Hayward Intermediate and Primary Schools and finishes at the American Birkebeiner Finish Line on Main Street in Hayward. There are two race distances for the different Junior Birkie age groups, see table below. The first 350 participants will get a Junior Birkie hat.
Team Sprint Relays
The Junior Birkie Team Sprint Relays will start and finish in downtown Hayward on the American Birkebeiner Finish Line!
2023 Junior Birkie Registration will open in early fall 2022!
Individual Mass Start Races & Times
Individual Age Groups
For the individual races, skiers are assigned an age group based on their year of birth (see table below). All races are freestyle technique – competitors may use skate or classic technique, however, there may not be classic tracks set on the courses. U8 and U10 age groups will ski 1.5 km, U12 and U14 will ski 3 km.
| Year of Birth | Category |
|---|---|
| 2014-2015 | U8 |
| 2012-2013 | U10 |
| 2010-2011 | U12 |
| 2008-2009 | U14 |
Individual Race Schedule
For age categories with 2 waves, you will find out your specific start time when you get your bib.
| Time | Category | Individual Mass Start Distance |
|---|---|---|
| 2:00 pm | U10 Boys | 1.5 km |
| 2:05 pm | U8 Boys | 1.5 km |
| 2:10 pm | U10 Girls | 1.5 km |
| 2:15 pm | U8 Girls | 1.5 km |
| 2:30 pm | U12 Boys - 1st Wave | 3 km |
| 2:35 pm | U12 Boys - 2nd Wave | 3 km |
| 3:00 pm | U12 Girls- 1st Wave | 3 km |
| 3:05 pm | U12 Girls- 2nd Wave | 3 km |
| 3:20 pm | U14 Boys - 1st Wave | 3 km |
| 3:25 pm | U14 Boys - 2nd Wave | 3 km |
| 3:35 pm | U14 Girls | 3 km |
Team Sprint Relay Races
Team Sprint Relay (NEW CHANGES in 2022!)
- ALL teams will consist of 2 skiers.
- Each skier will ski 2 non-consecutive legs of the relay, 4 laps total.
- Teams may be mixed gender, male, or female. First place awards will be given for each category.
- A team must consist of 2 skiers in the same age group. Age groups for the relay are based on grade as follows:
- Grades 1 – 3 will ski on a 300 meter course.
- Grades 4 – 5 will ski on a 500 meter course.
- Grades 6 – 8 will ski on a 500 meter course.
- Grades 9 – 12 will ski on an 800 meter course.
- We strongly encourage teams to be made of athletes in the same grade range, however, if not possible, the team will ski in the oldest grade range.
- A participant without a team may still register and can be matched with another skier. Select ‘Create a New Team’ and then ‘I need a partner during the registration process.
- Races are not timed, first across the line for each category are the winners.
Team Sprint Relay Race Schedule
Team sprint relays will begin at 4pm on Main Street. A detailed schedule will be available closer to the event date.
Bib Pick Up
Thursday, February 23 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the registration tent in the Recovery Zone on 4th and Wisconsin Ave.
Venue and Course Map
Registration details are subject to change.
Individual Race
The Junior Birkie will start behind the Hayward Primary and Intermediate Schools. Both 1.5k & 3k courses will travel through the golf course and head down Main Street. The 1.5K course will ski down Main Street, turn at the base of the bridge (no bridge crossing), and head to the Finish Line. The 3K course will continue down main street, travel over the American Birkebeiner International Bridge, turn around, cross the bridge again and ski back up Main Street. The Junior Birkie finishes at the American Birkebeiner Finish Line on Main Street.
Team Relay Sprint Races
Team Relay Sprint Races will all take place on Main Street. The start and finish are at the American Birkebeiner Finish Line. The Team Sprint Race course will not utilize the American Birkebeiner International Bridge. Teams will consist of 2 racers in the categories found above. The top team in each category will be awarded a first place award.
Getting There
There will be a continuous shuttle service between the Spectator Parking Lots on Hwy B, Bib pick-up near the Intermediate School and Start Area, and the Celebration Plaza near the Finish line and back to the Spectator Lot. Please help ease the traffic congestion by utilizing the designated parking lots and the shuttles.
Wax Policy
As part of the CXC Youth Cup, no fluorocarbon waxes are allowed; athletes may only use fluoro-free glide and kick wax.
Celebration
Post Race
Refreshments will be available in the Celebration Plaza.
Awards
Each age group race will have an award ceremony immediately following it at the Champion’s Stage in the Celebration Plaza.
If you won an award, you may pick it up at the Birkie Office. You may also have it shipped to you HERE.
The Deadline to pick up or request shipping for your award is MARCH 31, 2023.
The top three boys and girls for each age group will be awarded a prize.
The first relay teams in each age division will be awarded a prize.
All individual finishers will receive a Junior Birkie medal.
CXC Youth Cup
The Junior Birkie Individual Race is part of the 2021-22 CXC Youth Cup for U12 and U14 age categories. Licensed skiers are seeded and earn points in the CXC Youth Cup overall standings. For information about the CXC Youth Cup visit: http://cxcskiing.org/pages/events/cxc-youth-cup.html
Results
View Junior Birkie Results »
Sponsors
Gold Circle Elite
Gold Level Sponsors of the Major Birkie Events Year-Round
Presenting Sponsors
Sponsors of the Junior Birkie
