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Greetings from the American Birkebeiner!
Dear Friends -
While last letter I mentioned summer setting in...just like that, winter is creeping back, as it was 36 degrees as I headed out for a ride on the Birkie Trail one morning this week! Fall approaching means we are in full race prep for the fall Birkie Trail Run, Relay, and Trek events coming up in just over 5 weeks, on Sept 21.We are excited to have in our race field this year a few guest runners from Kenya who will be here to rip it up--time to start training!!! We added a free 1K event and games for kids, along with some cool activities at the finish line. Make sure to bring the entire family for the event!
The ABSF annual meeting on August 10 was a success, and I'm eager to get to work with the new board. Please welcome aboard to Dave Nelson, newly appointed county representatives Tom Duffy (sawyer), Brett Rondeau (Bayfield), and re-elected incumbents Joe Timmerman and John Leighton. We have a big year ahead of us!
Each day I spend in the Birkie office, the more I'm reminded that the Birkie is so much more than an event, it is a lifestyle. Being active outside is an integral part of our lives and I urge you to be proud activists for the silent sport community in your local schools, communities, regions. Be it, live it, promote it!
I can always be reached at [email protected], don't hesitate to drop me a line if there is anything I can help you with.
Get Out & Go!
Ben Popp
Executive Director
American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation
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 We've already given away ...
Salomon trail running shoes ... FITS Socks ... Swix wax ... and FREE entries to the Birkie Trail Run, Relay, and Trek. Like us on Birkie Facebook to see the next contest in August.
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 Get Ready for the Birkie Trail Marathon and More! FREE! Group Training Weekend:
Twin Cities, MN
August 17-18
FREE! How about a seminar and group trail trainin  g run with the Jan Guenther, women's record holder for the Birkie Trail Marathon! All that, plus great food, tips, a gift, special entry discounts, and more is available at this trail run training event.
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For Info and to Register for the Birkie Trail Run, Relay, and Trek on SEPTEMBER 21
Marathon . Marathon Relay . Half Marathon . Trek . 5K
Plus, NEW this year ... Free Kids 1K and Games!
 ___________________________________________________________________ Below, get part two of these training plans that help you get ready for the Birkie trail marathon, half marathon, and Nordic Trek--all part of the Birkie Trail Run events on September 21. Enjoy!
How to Train for the Birkie Trail
Marathon & Half Marathon on Sept. 21
By Matt Ostrander
This is Part Two of a three-part series. Whether you're a beginner, intermediate, or advanced trail runner, this series covers training strategy for a distance run on the Birkie Trail. Click Here for PART TWO.
Training to Nordic Walk the Birkie
Trek Event on Sept. 21
By Linda Lemke
The Birkie Nordic Trek/Walk on September 22 follows the same 13.1 mile course as the half marathon event. Follow Linda's advice to enjoy your day to the fullest.
Click Here for PART TWO.
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SAVE THE DATE ... Don't Miss Out On:
"BIRKTOBERFEST"
October 1, 2013
Supporting the Birkie--Milwaukee Style!
Eat, drink, have a great time with your
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At Gorgeous Lapham Peak
State Park, Delafield, WI
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Birkie friends ... all for a good cause. Join new Executive Director of the Birkie, Ben Popp, plus 2013 Birkie Champion Caitlin Gregg, and fellow Birkie enthusiasts, to spread some pre-season Birkie Fever, and help raise funds for Birkie Trail improvements--from the new Birkie Ridge (see photos on Facebook) and a family-friendly warming cabin to securing all parts of the trail and grooming for even better skiing in low snow ... See details as they are added!
Join the Party | Make a Donation | Ensure the Birkie Legacy!Many thanks to these Milwaukee area skiers and businesses for coming up with this great idea. It's time to Birktoberfest!
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We Have a Winner!
Introducing, Your Official  T-Shirt of the 2014 Birkie
Congratulations to Janice Hamilton, of St. Paul, MN! It was another great year for the American Birkebeiner T-Shirt Design Contest. Congratulations to Janice Hamilton of St. Paul, MN, the winner, decided by a week of online voting July 15-19. Hamilton, a graphic designer, lives in St. Paul with her husband, Bill, and three daughters, Laura, Hanna, and Emma. This was her first time to enter the contest ... Continue Reading.
NEW THIS YEAR: The shirt will be available as both in Cotton ... and as a Tech-T!
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 (Swix Corner will be a monthly feature with ski tips, training, more!)
DID YOU KNOW ...? Get super-quick facts and tips about hydration, ferrules, and dressing for fall training. To Check Out the SWIX RED ZONE.
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7,254 Reasons to Register Soon ...  A bunch of your fellow skiers are already signed up!
Don't let them leave the starting line without you. It's never too early to think about signing up for the 2014 Birkie, Kortelopet, and Prince Haakon events on Feb. 22. In fact, with more than 7,254 skiers signed up for the big three, the Swix American Birkebeiner ski events are now 75 percent full, given the total cap of 10,300. Is this your first Birkie event or do you have more Ks under your skis than you can count? The experience is always the same--and always different. Who knows what your story will be this year's 2014 Birkie, Korte, and Prince Haakon.
CLICK HERE FOR ALL 2104
_________________________________________________________________ Skier Confirmation: Email confirmations may take about two weeks. If you have not received an email, please check Skier Confirmation Online. If your confirmation does not appear, and it's been more than two weeks since you registered, please contact the Birkie at [email protected] or 715-634-5025. Thanks.
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Keep In Mind ...
This new "Dates / Deadlines" section is a good place to keep track of information about applications, contests, and related Birkie opportunities.
Development Programs
Application deadline - AUGUST 23
_ SEPTEMBER 21
11th Annual - Birkie Trail Run & Trek
5 Big Events: 
Marathon ... to 5K
Hammer Those
Birkie Hills!
Or, Savor the Day!"
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 Get Birkie news, announcements, photos, registration openings, and more ... as it happens! |
Stay in Great Birkie Shape AND
Get Ready for Upcoming Birkie Events!
Thanks to our sponsors and partners who host great group training:
- Free Clinics - New Moon Ski & Bike:
From Mountain Biking Basics and Single Track Skills, to bike maintenance and repair. Check out New Moon Ski & Bike in Hayward, WI.
- Trek / Walking Groups - Out There: 
Join the Out There Shop of Rice Lake, WI, on the Birkie Trail for group walk / runs to gear up for the Birkie Trail Run & Trek, Sept. 21.
- FREE Trail Run Training Weekend AUG. 17-18: Training for the Birkie Trail Marathon, Half Marathon, or Relays on Sept. 21? Do you live in or near the Twin Cities, MN? Check out this weekend's group training run and seminar with Jan Guenther. there's also great food, a gift, Birkie entry discounts, and more. 
- Train Like a Birkie Champion ...
WITH a Birkie Champion:
On Mountain Bike!
SEPT. 6-8: This weekend camp focuses
on two of the most popular sports that
endurance athletes love: cross country skiing
and off-road biking! And who better to work
with than Tad Elliot, 2012 Birkie Champion,
who has World Cup experience in both sports,
and has twice stood on the podium at the Birkie!
Get updates and reminders on
Birkie Facebook
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ABSF Holds Annual Meeting and
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John Leighton
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Elects Board membersSaturday, August 10, was another beautiful summer evening in the Northwoods of WI. The Sawmill Saloon, just down the road from the Birkie "OO" trailhead, hosted this year's annual meeting of the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation in its "Theater."
ABSF members get together at this annual meeting to share great conversation and friendship over dinner, hear from the Birkie Board of Directors and staff, and get the results of the annual election of new and returning board members ...
Keep Reading. This year's newly appointed ABSF board members are the following:  | | Dave Nelson |
. John Leighton, incumbent, was re-elected
. Dave Nelson, a past ABSF board member, was elected . Joe Timmerman, incumbent, was re-elected. Meet Our Current Board of Directors Our ABSF Board Members are a diverse group of professionals who each has a deep connection to andexperience with the Birkie. See their stories. What they do behind the scenes contributes to your Birkie experience. . . . For more information about the American Birkebeiner  | | Joe Timmerman |
Ski Foundation and the benefits of annual membership, please Click Here. For more information about the ABSF Board of Directors or running for the Board of Directors next year, please Click Here.
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American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation
 The Birkie is a year-round lifestyle choice for thousands of outdoor fitness enthusiasts of all levels. From its signature ski race--the legendary American Birkebeiner--sponsored by SWIX, the Birkie has grown into an exciting array of fitness and recreational opportunities. The 88-kilometer Birkie Trail system attracts skiers, runners, bikers, trekkers, and hikers, from casual day-trippers to elite superstars. Located near Hayward and Cable, Wisconsin, the Birkie is now an outdoor sports mecca, a series of great races, a fitness destination, and a Lifestyle.
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The staff, Board of Directors, a huge network of volunteers, and the communities of Hayward and Cable pour their hearts and souls into the events every year.