The Birkie Trail Run, Relay & Trek is coming quickly. We are looking forward to having a record 600 or more participants either running or walking under the fast approaching Fall colors. I hope you're able to join us on the Birkie� Trail on September 26. 

Trail projects are moving ahead as are our preparations for the new BirkieTour and the 2010 Birkie� itself this winter. Look for more information about preparations and changes as we move into the Fall. We are remodeling the Birkie� website and hope to have the new site up in early October.

• The bridge located in Duffy's field, about � mile before the Birkie reaches Lake Hayward is being replaced. The old wooden bridge was no longer safe and has been removed. New concrete abutments are in place and the steel I-beam supports are being installed within a week. Installation of the wooden deck with railings will follow. The new 54' bridge will span a trout stream and will be completed by late Fall. We share the bridge with snowmobiles and it will become part of a new walking-running-bicycling trail. Two DNR trail grants and several generous donations are covering much of the $72,000 cost.
• We are remodeling the "OO" warming cabin. The changing room side of the building is being expanded. Both sides of the building structure will have wooden storage cubes for daily use, and new tables and seats will be installed. Deconstruction has been completed and the project should be completed before the Birkie Trail Run.
• Logging has been completed in preparation for expanding the parking area on the north side of the "OO" trail head. Heavy use this past winter created the need for the expansion to assure safety of trail users. The expanded lot will accommodate an additional 120+ cars. The expanded area will be planted to vegetation rather that graveled since most use will be in the winter.
• The Fall mowing of the Birkie, Birkie Classic and Kortelopet trails has already begun. Multiple passes will be made before the Trail Run, and mowing will be completed in October.
• Two corners at C24K+ and C25K on the Classic Trail have been reworked with the project being completed last night. A photos is available here.
  

68, the number you get when you add up the years that my family and I have been participating in the American Birkebeiner events.  Team Sturdy Women, as we now call ourselves, consists of my mom, Wendy, my aunt, Kate, my grandma, Judi, and me.

It all started with my grandma.  Years ago, she decided to ski her first Birkie.  Now, 26 years later, she is still going strong.  (This year will be her 26^th Birkie!)  She is now a member of the Birchleggings club, and is extremely proud of it.  If it wasn't for her strength and determination, nobody in our family would be doing the Birkie, today.

As for my mom, she will be skiing her 17th Birkie. A while back, my grandma convinced her to ski the Birkie. (She wouldn't allow her to do just the Kortelopet. My grandma said that if she could to the whole thing, so could.......continue reading, click here.

The American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation has three parts to their mission statement. The first mission is, "To promote and conduct the finest international cross country ski competition." The second is, "To serve as good stewards of the "Birkie Trail". Can you guess the third mission?  Hmmm!  Times up!

The third mission is, "To support health and active lifestyles among skiers of all ages." The Foundation's success regarding the trail and race may allow them to consider expanding this mission beyond just skiers to, "Supporting the healthy and active lifestyles of all." as the trail also serves as a fitness "arena" for hiking, biking, running and new events like the Birkie Trail Run, Relay & Trek.  One could debate...Click here to continue reading. 

About the Birkie�

From February 25-27, 2010, more than 7,000 fit, colorfully-clad skiers from all walks of life and from around the world will descend upon the Wisconsin northwoods to participate in the 37th anniversary American Birkebeiner, a cross-country ski race that weaves more than 50 kilometers (30 miles) along a hilly, heavily wooded trail from the Telemark Resort near Cable to the finish line on Main Street in downtown Hayward.

For some, it's serious business. The Birkebeiner is part of the Worldloppet, a circuit of 15 Nordic ski races held on four continents. The race attracts a top cadre of professional racers from 19 countries, including past and present Olympians and those competing in the International Ski Federation standings.

For many hundreds of others, though, it's an annual celebration of personal endurance and outdoor enthusiasm. Since its inception in 1973, 'The Birkie' has grown into the largest cross country ski marathon in the nation. While pros may complete the course in about two hours, legions of weekend warriors soldier on in triple that time. Citizen skiers can compete in the full race or sign up for 23 kilometer Kortelopet or one of our many other events.

You don't even have to click into skis to join in on the party. An estimated 15,000 to 20,000 spectators line many portions of the route, and it seems all of Hayward is there cheering at the finish line. Equipment demos, citizen sprints, family fun races/tours and other events round out the weekend.

Live the Birkie�