FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AMERICAN BIRKEBEINER SKI FOUNDATION SPONSORS FALL EVENTS
HAYWARD,Wis., August 2005 -- The American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation (ABSF) is sponsoring two fall events for runners, skiers and their families. The Birkie Trail Run will be held on Saturday, Sept. 24, the same weekend as a Hayward Library benefit bicycle ride and Hayward and Cable fall festivals, and a Women's Cross-Country Ski Clinic will be held from Oct. 7-9 at Telemark Resort in Cable."The 2005 American Birkebeiner Trail Run is an ideal cross-training event for Birkie skiers or those just wanting to stay fit on a beautiful fall day," said Ned Zuelsdorff, Executive Director of the ABSF. "Participants have the option of registering for one of three events, all run on the American Birkebeiner Trail."
* 15K (9.3 miles) Run: point-to-point race from Mosquito Brook Road to "OO" beginning at 9 a.m.
* 5K (3.1 miles) Run: out and back loop at "OO" beginning at 9 a.m.
* Kid's 1K Run: out and back loop at "OO" (run after 5K event)
"In addition to a great day on the trail, there are participant t-shirts and 10-year increment age class awards for runners, frisbees for kids, food, music, transportation and a whole lot of fun," said Zuelsdorff.
Birkie Trail Run registration information is available online at http://www.birkie.com or by calling the Birkie office at 715.634.5025.
Another fall event, the Women's Cross-Country Ski Clinic sponsored by Outdoor Ventures, Telemark Resort and the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation is set for October 7-9, 2005 at Telemark Resort in Cable. The event, for womenseeking fitness or pre-race training, features three days of instruction from some of the best female cross-country skiers and coaches in the U.S.
"In addition to dry land drills, pole hiking and roller ski techniques, the weekend features Pilates and strength training, equipment demonstrations, waxing clinics, networking, and camaraderie with women from across the U.S.," said organizer Marcia Engebretson.
Check-in is on Friday, October 7 from 8-11 a.m., and the clinic ends on Sunday, October 9 at 1 p.m.
Engebretson said packages include seminar fees, meals, and Friday and Saturday lodging options for single, double, triple, and quad occupancy. In addition, there is a Thursday night lodging option and a no-housing package. Engrebretson said those who register by September 1 receive a $25 discount.
"The clinic is a fabulous weekend for beginning to intermediate skiers of all ages and those who want to learn new fitness techniques. We always have an engaged group, and participants learn a lot while having fun socializing with other female athletes."
For more information about the Women's Cross-Country Ski Clinic, check for brochures at local ski and bike shops, telephone Engebretson at 715.634.4447 or email [email protected]. To register, contact Deb Malesevich at Telemark Lodge, 1.877.798.4718, extension #547, or email [email protected].
Zuelsdorff said both events meet the ABSF's goal to increase year-round use of the American Birkebeiner Ski Trail. He also said the ABSF staff, Board of Directors and hundreds of volunteers are already gearing up for the 33rdrunning of the American Birkebeiner and Kortelopet ski races and events.
Birkie 2006 is slated for Feb. 23-25, 2006. In addition to the 51 kilometer Subaru American Birkebeiner and 23 kilometer Kortelopet ski races, Birkie 2006 features shorter races, events and festivities for 9,000 skiers and 15,000 spectators. Birkie festivities take place at Telemark Resort in Cable and on Main Street in Hayward.
For more information or to register for the Subaru American Birkebeiner, Kortelopet, Johnson Bank Prince Haakon 12K, Salomon Elite Sprints, Hayward Chamber of Commerce Citizen Sprints, Century Tel Junior Birkie, Cheqtel Communications 10K, or the Sons of Norway/Swiss Miss Barnebirkie, call 715.634.5025, email [email protected], or log on to www.birkie.com.