Telemark Resort will host Birkie Trail Run, Sept. 24

The American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation recently reached an agreement with Telemark Resort for their 2011-12 events, including the Birkie Trail Run, Relay and Trek to be held September 24, the Birkie Tour on January 21, 2012, and the American Birkebeiner race week events February 23-25, 2012.

"This is good news for the Birkie, our participants and the communities of Cable and Hayward, Wisconsin," said Ned Zuelsdorff, executive director of the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation. "We have a long history with Telemark, and we are very happy that we will be able to use the facility and property for the 2011-12 Birkie events."

In its ninth year, the Birkie Trail Run, Relay and Trek continues to grow and challenge runners and walkers while providing a fun celebration of fall in northwestern Wisconsin. Last year the individual Marathon Trail Run was introduced and, although challenging, the event received great reviews from the marathon participants.

"The events continue to grow in popularity with 1,000 participants expected this year," Zuelsdorff said. "More than 95 percent of the 2010 participants indicated they would 'likely return' for the 2011 event, and over 98 percent said they would recommend the event to a friend."

The marathon will again lead off the list of events and be joined by the marathon relay, half marathon, 13.1-mile Birkie Trek (a Nordic walk) and 5K run-walk.

The Birkie Trail provides the perfect venue for a trail run. The trail is relatively even, free of rocks and roots, grass covered and wide enough to allow the passing of other runners and walkers. The trail offers plenty of variety with some steep ups and downs, but mostly rolling terrain through the forest.

The 2011 Birkie Trail Run event courses will be the same as in 2010. The individual marathon and marathon relay events will start at Hatchery Park just outside of Hayward. The marathon relay includes categories for 3- and 6-person teams in open, male, female and mixed gender categories. Team result times are handicapped based on participant ages and genders to even out the fun-oriented competition.

The half marathon run and half marathon Birkie Trek will begin at the County Highway OO trailhead in Seeley. The half marathon traverses the hilliest section of the trail north from OO to the final leg on the Kortelopet Ski Trail with a finish at Telemark.

The Birkie Trek is an event in which the use of poles is recommended. Using the same course as the half marathon runners, the Birkie Trek participants start their event earlier in the morning providing plenty of time to enjoy the fast walk, cheer on the runners and then enjoy the festivities at the Telemark finish area.

The 5K, starting and ending at Telemark, will enjoy predominantly rolling terrain.

Water, energy products and medical support will be available on the course, but marathon relay teams will be responsible for transporting their team members to the specified relay exchange points using their own vehicles. The drive route includes sand and gravel forest roads, and higher-clearance vehicles are recommended. Bus transportation is provided to the start lines for all other event participants.

The marathon relay is limited to 75 teams. Registration for all of the events will close on Friday, September 23, at 8 p.m.

At the finish line, participants will find food, music, door prizes and overall and age class awards. Everyone will receive a tech T-shirt. The Birkie Trail Run events are held in conjunction with the Hayward and Cable Area Fall Festival, complete with art and crafts booths, food booths, children's games and entertainment, farmers markets and live music. For more information and to register, visit www.birkie.com, email birkie@birkie.com or call 715/634-5025.