HAYWARD, WI (April 21, 2017) – September 30, 2017 marks the 16th Birkie Trail Run Festival held on the legendary hills of the iconic Birkie Trail. The Birkie Trail Run Half Marathon, part of the Birkie Trail Run Festival weekend of events, has been selected as the USATF Half Marathon Trail Championship in 2017 by USA Track & Field, the national governing body.
“We are honored to host a USATF National Championship and welcome America’s best runners to the beautiful trails of the north woods,” said Ben Popp, ABSF Executive Director. “Last year, Corrine Malcolm, USATF 50-Mile National Champion, won the Birkie Trail Run Marathon. We are excited to welcome America’s best long distance runners, like Corrine, to compete in this year’s half marathon championship. It’ll be an awesome day on the Birkie Trail!”
America’s best half-marathon trail runners, including elites and Olympic hopefuls, are expected to compete for the $3000 prize purse. The event, scheduled for September 30, 2017, is presented by the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation, the nonprofit organizers of the Birkie Trail Run Festival.
“The participation of these amazing elite runners will add excitement to the entire field of Birkie Trail Run Festival runners,” said Allan Serrano, Event Director. “Now in our 16th year, the prestige of being selected as the USATF Half Marathon Trail Run Championship will build awareness of our race and is certain to have a positive halo effect on the Birkie Trail Run Festival events for many years to come.”
From the challenge and intensity of a 100-kilometer ultra-marathon to the fun of a 5-kilometer run/walk, an estimated 1000+ runners and trekkers will take to the Birkie Trail for a day of fun, camaraderie, and outdoor adventure in the beautiful forest of northwestern Wisconsin. With eight events on the roster – including a marathon, marathon relay (3 or 6 person teams), half marathon, Nordic Trek, 5K run/walk, youth 5K (12 and under) and 1K Kid’s Dash (free for ages 9 and under), along with the 100K Ultra Marathon – there is a north woods trail experience available for every ability level. Full race course information is available at www.Birkie.com.
The Birkie Trail Run Festival events, sponsored by Salomon, start and finish at Birkie Ridge Trailhead, 12.5 miles north of Hayward, Wisconsin, and 5 miles south of Cable, Wisconsin. The eight Birkie Trail Run Festival events place runners and trekkers on some of the most scenic stretches of the famous Birkie Trail and single-track sections of the CAMBA (Chequamegon Area Mountain Bike Association) trail system.
In 2017, the Birkie Trail Run Festival will be bigger and better than ever with a Vendor Fair, full roster of events, live music, north woods picnic-style fare, Birkie Brew-Ski on tap, on-site camping at Birkie Ridge, autumn leaves courtesy of Mother Nature, and Birkie Fever aplenty. Registration opened on January 1, 2017 for all events. Interested individuals are invited to register for all events at www.Birkie.com.
About the USATF – USA Track & Field: USA Track & Field (USATF) is the National Governing Body for track & field, long distance running and race walking in the United States. USATF encompasses the world’s oldest organized sports, some of the most-watched events of Olympic broadcasts, the country’s No. 1 high school and junior high school participatory sport and more than 30 million adult runners in the United States. For more information, visit: usatf.org