American Birkebeiner

1: IF YOU ARE A DIE-HARD BIRKIE SKIER … this is one more notch in your Birkie belt. You get:
_ Plenty of chances to ask yourself, “Which is harder, skiing this or running it?”
_ That same 4,500 feet of elevation gain–backwards, from south to north this time–for more
chances to count to 100 … again, and again, and again
_ The chance to run down B Hill and Boedecker Hill
* Plus, you get credit as a “Birkie Warrior” – see Reason #9, below.
2: IF YOU ARE A TRAIL RUNNER FIRST AND ALWAYS … the Birkie Trail system is one of the best in
the world. This is not single track, but the hills make up for terrain with an endurance challenge you don’t
want to miss. The trail–which winds deep through the heart of national forest hardwoods and pines–is wide,
grassy, and relatively free of roots. But, “It’s the climbs!” See this article from one of last year’s marathon
runners, “Brutal but Beautiful”!
3: ARE YOU A MARATHON RUNNER ONLY? … Again, check out the “Brutal but Beautiful” article–
one runner’s stride-by-stride description of the Birkie Trail marathon last year, starting at mile 18. This story
will either have you shaking in your trail shoes or immediately inspire you to toe the starting line.
4: ROAD RUNNERS UNITE! If you are thinking of crossing over to the dark side, running beneath leafy
canopy and feeling the earth move under your feet, the Birkie Trail Run is a premier trail event to try.
Because it is a wide, mowed, grass surface, relatively free of roots or other obstacles, the Birkie Trail makes
a great transition from the road. Choose from the marathon, marathon relay, half marathon, or 5K.
5: STILL, SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE … HAMMER THE HILLS OR SAVOR THE DAY. Take on your
toughest challenge or just spend time on the Birkie Trail with friends. With 5 events to choose from, including
a range of distances and paces, you can customize your Birkie Trail Run & Trek experience to exactly what
you’re looking for. Choose from:
Marathon . Half Marathon – Marathon Relay (3- and 6-person team options)
13.1 mile Trek (Nordic walking with poles) . 5K Run/ Walk
6: MAKE YOUR MARATHON A RELAY! With names like these–Hostile Vegan Takeover, Girls Just Want
to Go Run, Beauties & the Beasts, Beef Birkie, and Grababrewskis–the 3- and 6-person Birkie Marathon
Relay teams mean business. This event is currently the most popular Birkie Trail Run & Trek option!
7: FROM HERE AND AWAY … COAST-TO-COAST COMRADERIE & COMPETITION. Where do Birkie
Trail Run & Trek participants comes from, and why? They are from the Northwoods, Upper Midwest, as far
west as California, Oregon, and Washington, from as far east as Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, and
Georgia, from as far south as Kansas and Texas, and to the north from Canada. A runner from Norway
scheduled his visit to allow him to complete the 2012 Birkie Marathon run to complete his Birkie Warrior
Series. Make new friends. You’ll know someone the next time you do an event where they live. Which brings
us to …
8: TRAIL RUNNER MAGAZINE’S TROPHY SERIES. We are again part of this great event series for trail
running devotees, a way to earn points and prizes! The individual Birkie Trail Run & Trek events are part
138 qualifying races across the U.S. and Canada. Click Here for details.
9: BIRKIE WARRIOR SERIES. Get recognized for doing Birkie events year-round! Because the 2013
BirkieTour was cancelled in January 2013, you only need to have completed either the Birkebeiner,
Kortelopet, or Prince Haakon event in February 2013 – plus complete any one of the 5 Birkie Trail Run &
Trek events on September 21 – to qualify for prizes and recognition as a Birkie Warrior! Click Here for 2013
Birkie Warrior Series details.
10: WE HAVE GREAT FOOD! Hey, that’s important, too, especially after your run or trek on the Birkie Trail.
Load up on the great food from the grill, salads, and more at our cookout picnic under the Big Tent at the
finish line. We also have lots of great door prizes to give away and overall and age-class awards for each
event. It all happens on SEPTEMBER 21. Mark your calendars and sign up now!