Birkie Week Smaller Events Registration Also Opens
North America’s #1 & #2 Cross-Country Ski Races Filling Fast
(Press release)
HAYWARD, Wis. (September 5, 2018) – With fall temperatures in the air, thoughts turn quickly to the change in seasons, fall leaves, and snow. The Birkie week of festivities is a mere 168 days away and thousands of skiers have already registered for the Slumberland American Birkebeiner, Kortelopet, and Prince Haakon races to date. Friday, September 7 marks a price increase for all three races (skiers must register by 11:59pm on Thursday, September 6 to avoid the price increase), with the final price increase on November 2, 2018. The Birkie is North America’s largest cross-country ski race and is scheduled for Saturday, February 23, 2019, with the Kortelopet, North America’s second largest ski race, and Prince Haakon, on Friday, February 22, 2019. Skiers from 49 states and 36 countries participated in 2018 Birkie week events.
Friday, February 22, 2018
Kortelopet 29K & Prince Haakon15K – Both races will finish in downtown Hayward with the Kortelopet starting at the Highway OO Trailhead and the Prince Haakon starting near Mosquito Brook.
Saturday, February 23, 2018
45th Annual Slumberland American 50K Skate/55K – Thousands of skiers journey from Cable, WI, on the Birkie Trail, through the north woods, across Lake Hayward, and over the American Birkebeiner International Bridge to the finish line on Hayward’s snow-covered Main Street. It’s the Greatest Show on Snow!
Currently, Birkie skate Waves 1 & 2 are closed with Wave 3 (94%), Wave 4 (91%), Wave 5 (80%), and Wave 6 (84%) nearing capacity. Birkie classic Wave 1 is closed with Wave 2 (85%), Wave 3 (89%), and Wave 4 (81%) nearing capacity. Similarly, Kortelopet and Prince Haakon races are rapidly filling. There is a 10,800-participant race cap for the combined Birkie, Korte and Prince Haakon races. Registration will close when this cap is reached. Wave Placement is based on first registered, first seeded basis. Once a wave has filled, participants will be placed in the next available wave.
Registration for the 2019 Junior Birkie, Barnebirkie, Birkie Adaptive, Barkie Birkie Skijor, and Birkie Giant Ski opened today, September 5, 2018 for the Birkie week of events starting on Thursday, February 21, 2019. 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 Slumberland American Birkebeiner ski race, to the Birkie Trail Run Festival, 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.