(Press release)
Skiers Encouraged to Register By Thursday, Nov. 2 at 11:59pm!
Hayward, Wis. (October 31, 2017) – With flurries in the air and Birkie week festivities a mere 113 days away, skiers interested in participating in the American Birkebeiner, Kortelopet, or Prince Haakon races are urged to register before the Friday, November 3, 2017 price increase. Many race waves are already closed and remaining waves are filling quickly. Registration will close when the combined participant cap is reached for all three races. The Birkie is North America’s largest cross- country ski race and is scheduled for Saturday, February 24, 2018, with the Kortelopet, North America’s second largest ski race, and Prince Haakon, on Friday, February 23, 2018. Skiers from 48 states and 22 countries participated in the last-held races.
- Friday, February 23, 2018
- Both the Kortelopet and Prince Haakon races will finish in downtown Hayward with the 29K Kortelopet starting at the Highway OO Trailhead and the 15K Prince Haakon starting near Mosquito Brook.
- Saturday, February 24, 2018
- For the first time ever, 44th Annual Slumberland American Birkebeiner skiers will line-up at the new permanent start area at the American Birkebeiner Trailhead, located just southeast of Cable, WI. 2018 Birkie skiers will embark from the starting line as they journey on the Birkie Trail, 50K skate and 55K classic, to their destination at the finish line in downtown Hayward, WI.
During the American Birkebeiner and the Kortelopet races, skiers are released from the start area in waves. Wave Placement is based on a first registered, first seeded basis. Once a wave has filled, participants will be placed in the next available wave. November 2, 2017 marks the final price increase and last chance for skiers to save before the official close of registration.
Birkie week festivities begin on Thursday, February 22, 2018 with the Birkie Adaptive Ski, Barkie Birkie Skijor, Barnebirkie, Junior Birkie, and Birkie Giant Ski events, all on Hayward’s snow-covered Main Street. Registration for all events is open and available at www.Birkie.com.
March 10, 2018 marks the Fat Bike Birkie, the world’s largest fat bike race, where riders choose between a 49K (The Big Fat) & 21K (The Chico) ride through the north woods on perfectly groomed trails. Now in its 6th year, the race has grown from fewer than 200 riders in 2013 to a capped registration of 1200 riders in 2018.
Registration for all events is available at www.Birkie.com.
About the American Birkebeiner® Ski Foundation and Birkie® Events
Located near Hayward and Cable, Wisconsin, the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation (ABSF), a 501(c)(3) organization, is known for its signature American Birkebeiner Ski Marathon held each February. Today, the Birkie has grown to encompass a variety of year-round, silent sport events that promote a healthy, active lifestyle for thousands of outdoor fitness enthusiasts. The ABSF also acts as steward of the legendary Birkie Trail, providing year-round grooming, mowing and maintenance to all 100+ kilometers. From the iconic American Birkebeiner ski race, to the Birkie Trail Run & Trek, and Fat Bike Birkie, the ABSF and the Birkie Trail attract skiers, runners, bikers, trekkers, and hikers, from casual day-trippers to elite athletes. Learn more at www.birkie.com. BIRKIE Ski. Run. Bike. Live!