Event Participant Guide

2017 Birkie Trail Run Festival Participant Guide

Title Sponsor:

Welcome to the 2017

Birkie Trail Run Festival & USATF Half Marathon Championship! This participant guide contains everything you’ll need to know to be prepared for a great race day on September 30. From the USATF Half Marathon Championship to the Marathon, the 5K, and every event in between, the Birkie staff & volunteers have been hard at work making certain you’ll have the best possible race experience. As always, our number one priority is for you to have a safe and successful race. From bib pick-up, to the course, to aid stations, to post-race festivities, we think you’ll find the Birkie Trail Run Festival will be a great day in the north woods! Thanks, for participating in the 2017 Birkie Trail Run Festival! We look forward to seeing you soon! Let’s get started!

Please note, pets are not allowed on the race course in the festival area, or in the event tent at any time.

Thank you!

#BirkieFever

Friday, September 29 First Things First New for 2017! Before race day, be certain to download the new Birkie Event App to your iPhone or Android phone! The official Birkie Trail Run Festival app provides LiveTracking during the race for all registered participants, LiveRanking, leaderboards, selfie filters, interactive course maps, the weather forecast, a countdown clock, and more! The Birkie Event app is free and available in the Apple Store or click here for more. Pre-Race Bib Pick-Up Bib pick-up is available at Birkie Ridge from 1:00pm to 7:00pm on Friday. The first 1000 registered participants to pick-up their bibs will also receive a 2017 Birkie Trail Run Festival tech shirt – great for fall running! Please note that sizing availability is not guaranteed, shirt distribution is on a first-come first-served basis. The first 750 participants to pick-up their bibs for the Marathon, Relay, Half Marathon, or Nordic Trek will receive a free 12-oz. HydraPak SpeedCup to use when you go cup-free in the races (see details later in this guide). Race day bib pick-up is also available. Marathon Relay Teams – While it is best for all team members to arrive for bib pick-up together, we realize it isn’t always possible. If not arriving as a group, one person must pick-up bibs and t-shirts for all members of their specific relay team. Make certain whomever is picking up your team’s Birkie Trail Run Festival t-shirts knows each team member’s shirt size. While you’re at bib pick-up, be certain to check out the Birkie Vendor Fair for the latest in running gear and more.

Bibs Your bib is a unique identifier and must be worn and visible on the front of your body at all times on race day. Do not remove, alter, or fold the timing chip in any way. USATF Members who are competing for the Half Marathon Championships will also be given a back bib to wear in the race. You must be a USATF member to qualify for the USATF medals and awards.

Late Race Registration Registration for individual events is available online or in person at Birkie Ridge until 7:00 pm CT on Friday, September 29. Relay Teams must be registered by 11:59 pm CT on Wednesday, September 28th. Kids may register for the 1k fun run until 11:30 am on Saturday, September 30. This is the only event with Saturday registration available.

Please note there is no race day registration for 5K, Nordic Trek, Marathon, Relay, Half Marathon, or Ultra.

Vendor Fair

Birkie Ridge is also home to the Birkie Vendor Fair your source for great gear, clothing, and more! The Birkie Vendor Fair will be open during bib pick-up on Friday from 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm and again on race day from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm.

• SALOMON

• FITS

• Altra Running Shoes

• Bjorn Daehlie

• Bliz Eyewear

• Craft

• Gear West

• GU Energy

• Hayward Coffee Company

• Hostel B&B

• Julbo Eyewear

• Leki Poles

• Mainstream Boutique

• Nemo Camping Gear

• New Moon Ski & Bike

• Riverbrook Bike and Ski

• Salming Running Shoes

• Trek Bikes

• Plus, the Birkie Store!

American Trail Running Association Elite Athlete Meet and Greet Join us at Rivers Eatery in Cable, WI at 4:00 pm on Friday, September 29 for a presentation from ATRA Executive Director, Nancy Hobbs and Marketing Director, Rich Bolt. ATRA has been the leading advocate for Mountain, Ultra & Trail Running for two decades. They will share their experience about the Pike Peak Trekker project with Google and introduce some of the Elite Runners who will be in contention for the USATF Half Marathon Trail Championships.

Saturday, September 30

Race Day Bib Pick-Up You may pick-up your bib on race day, September 30, beginning at 6:30 am at the registration table in the big Vendor Fair tent at Birkie Ridge.

Getting There The race start and finish lines are located at Birkie Ridge Trailhead on U.S. Highway 63. Watch for large signs marking the entrance to Birkie Ridge on U.S. Highway 63.

• From Hayward, take U.S. Highway 63 12.5 miles north of the U.S. Highway 77 intersection in Hayward, WI. Look for large signs directing you to turn right into Birkie Ridge on the east side of Highway 63.

• From Cable, take U.S. Highway 63 south 5.0 miles south of the County Highway M intersection in Cable, Wisconsin. Look for large signs directing you to turn left into Birkie Ridge on the east side of Highway 63

• GPS Coordinates 46.147384, -91.331785

Parking There is ample parking available at Birkie Ridge trailhead. You will be entering on the south end of the parking lot. When it is time to leave, you’ll exit only to the north. Just follow the arrows.

Race Day Event Schedule • 5:30 AM Ultra-Marathon Start

• 6:30 AM Bib Pick-Up Opens

• 8:00 AM Marathon Start (25.8 miles) – Presented by CARLSON MD

• 8:30 AM Marathon Relay Start (25.8 miles) – Presented by FITS

• 9:00 AM Dive for the Dirt opens – Presented by Hayward Area Memorial Hospital & Water’s Edge

• 9:15 AM Birkie Half Marathon Start (12.4 miles) – Presented by HydraPak USATF Half Marathon Championship Start

• 9:30 AM Nordic Trek Start (10 miles)

• 9:45 AM 5K Start

• 10:30 AM Birkie Ridge Bash Begins – Food, Live Music, Celebration!

• 11:00 AM 5K Award Ceremony - Overall & Age Group

• 11:30 AM Half Marathon Award Ceremony - Overall, USATF & Age Group

• 11:45 AM 1K Fun Run for Kids

• 12:15 PM Marathon & Relay Award Ceremony - Overall

• 12:45 PM Marathon Award Ceremony - Age Group

• 3:00 PM Final Marathon Finishers

• 6:00 PM Ultra-Marathon Champion Awards and Celebration at The Rivers Eatery

Race Courses The Birkie Trail Run Festival shares common trails for each of the different race distances. As such, the route for each race will be fully marked with color-coded signage unique to each specific race. At various times during your run or trek you will see signs for other events. Your bib color corresponds to your directional arrows on the course. Please note the color designated for your event, be alert, and follow the correct events signs located along the trail! Course Marking and Signs Designated colors are:

Please Note! Signs are hung to indicate only three possibilities. 1 -Indicates a right turn onto new trail

2 - Indicates a left turn onto a new trail

3 - Indicates continuing straight on the current trail.

Mile Markers Each mile will be identified with “miles to go” markers, in corresponding colors.

Please Note! Mile markers count down to the finish

For your convenience, course maps and elevation profiles will be posted near the start and are available at http://www.birkie.com/run/events/birkie-trail-run.

Aid Stations There are three aid station locations along the courses. Depending on the race, some stations are visited twice, as the courses may loop back around. Each aid station will be fully supplied with water, nuun performance hydration drink, GU energy gels, and fruit. There are toilets and basic first-aid supplies available at each aid station. The 5K course has one drink station supplied with water and nuun performance hydration drink.

Please Note! Trail runs traverse difficult terrain and you can expect to add up to 20% more time per mile than in a road race. Participants should plan to carry their own hydration and nutrition supplies between stations.

Aid Station Details – Marathon, Relay, Half, & Nordic Trek Marathon Aid Stations & Relay Exchange Zones

Station Miles from

Start Miles from

Finish Miles to next

Station Cut-Off Time

Birkie Ridge -Start 0 25.6 3.7 N/A

1 Boedecker-Southbound 3.7 21.9 5.8 N/A

2 Boedecker - Northbound 9.5 16.1 5.2 N/A

3 Timber Trail- Northbound 14.7 10.9 5 12:00 pm

4 Timber Trail - Southbound 19.7 5.9 3.3 1:00 pm

5 Fire Tower 23 2.6 2.6 2:15 pm

6 Birkie Ridge -Finish 25.6 0 0 3:00 pm

Half Marathon Aid Stations

Station Miles from

Start Miles from

Finish Miles to next

Station Cut-Off Time

Birkie Ridge -Start 0 12.4 3.7 N/A

1 Boedecker-Southbound 3.7 8.7 2.3 N/A

2 Boedecker - Northbound 6.0 6.4 3.8 N/A

3 Fire Tower 9.8 2.6 2.6 2:15 pm

4 Birkie Ridge -Finish 12.4 0 0 3:00 pm

Nordic Trek Aid Stations

Station Miles from

Start Miles from

Finish Miles to next

Station Cut-Off Time

Birkie Ridge -Start 0 9.8 3.7 N/A

1 Boedecker 3.7 6.1 3.5 N/A

2 Fire Tower 7.2 2.6 2.6 2:15 pm

3 Birkie Ridge -Finish 9.8 0 0 3:00 pm

Race Cut-off Times Participants will not be allowed to continue on the course past the cut-off times (noted on the preceding tables) and must reach the finish by 3:00 pm to be considered an official finisher. Transport back to Birkie Ridge will be provided for those not making the cut-off times.

Safety No headphones or ear buds are allowed on the course. Runners may be asked to withdraw from the race if, upon assessment, the event medical team feels that it is too dangerous for the participant to continue. Medical teams will be patrolling the course on bicycles and ATVs. There is an MD on staff at the Medical Station in the tent at Birkie Ridge.

Go Cup Free Stay hydrated and keep the cup! We are encouraging participants to help make the Birkie Trail Run Festival a clean race by using a reusable SpeepCup from HydraPak or other personal hydration vessel at the aid stations. The first 750 participants at bib pick-up for the Marathon, Relay, Half Marathon, and Nordic Trek, will receive a SpeedCup, compliments of HydraPak, for use during their race and beyond.

Dropping Out If you need to drop-out of any race or the Nordic Trek, you must report to an aid station Chief (look for the blue bib) or to the bib pick-up area at Birkie Ridge notifying them of your status.

Kids Activities Dive for the Dirt - An obstacle course for kids, Dive for the Dirt will include a slack line,

tunnel crawl, hay bale leap, balance beam, agility ladders, hurdles, and even a cargo net belly crawl! Birkie volunteers and Hayward Area Memorial Hospital & Waters Edge staff will supervise and help kids as needed. An adult must sign a waiver for each child participating in youth events. CXC Experience - Central Cross Country Ski Association (CXC Skiing) will be on hand with their experiential vehicle featuring a museum and a range of sports including: mountain biking; biathlon; ski jumping; adaptive sport; Ski-Ergs; and an agility course; allowing visitors to try their hand at any number of activities. Kids 1k (0.6 miles) Fun Run – Kids will gather at the Dive for the Dirt area where they will be led through pre-run warm-ups. Then, kids will line up for the fun run beginning at 11:45 am. The run will end at the main finish line and is untimed. Kids can enjoy cold Kemps chocolate milk after their run. To save time on Saturday, please register your kids in advance for this free event.

Please Share with Your Cheering Posse The Birkie Trail Run Festival race courses traverse the remote forests of northwest Wisconsin. The only possibility for driving to access the race course is at the aid stations. If you are planning to cheer on a runner at an aid station, be mindful of the runners and volunteer staff. Please keep away from the immediate area around the workers and out of the way of runners and trekkers. Access to the Fire Tower aid station is on a rough road and requires a high clearance vehicle. Spectators are welcomed to enjoy a hike or bike ride on the Birkie and CAMBA trails as a means to watching the races. Please remember that pets are not allowed on the course, in the Vendor Fair Tent, or on the Festival grounds, at any time. New for 2017! Before race day, be certain your posse downloads the new Birkie Event App to their iPhone or Android phone! The official Birkie Trail Run Festival app will allow them to follow you on the course with LiveTracking, provides LiveRanking, leaderboards, selfie filters, interactive course maps, the weather forecast, a countdown clock, and more! The Birkie Event app is free and available in the Apple Store or click here for more. Spectators are encouraged to share their photos from the day’s events on social media using the hashtag #BirkieFever.

Relay Exchanges Relay exchanges may only be made at the aid stations as identified on the course map. The team will be given a slap bracelet at bib pick-up. Relay exchanges are executed by the passing of the slap bracelet at the aid stations. Each team is identified by the last 3 digits of their bib number. Each individual team member, or leg of the race, is identified by the first digit of the bib number.

• 3-Person relay teams must have 2 to 3 runners and may exchange at any of the 5 Marathon aid stations.

• 6-Person relay teams must have 4 to 6 runners and may exchange at any of the 5 Marathon aid stations.

Relay Team Driving Route Please exit on the north end of the Birkie Trail Run Festival parking area, opposite from where you entered the lot, and follow the directional arrows to the aid stations/exchange zones. Maps and directions are available at both pre-race and race day bib pick-up. Please note, access to the Fire Tower aid station is on a rough road and requires a high clearance vehicle to access. Parking is limited at the aid stations.

Please Note! Please be careful of runners crossing the road and remember that no pets are allowed on the trail at any time! .

Celebrate with All Day Festivities!

Birkie Bash Post-Race Celebration & Dance in the Big Tent! Post-race festivities begin in the big tent at 10:30 am with fajitas and Birkie Brew-Ski or pop, provided by the Corner Deli. Participants will receive 1 meal and 1 post-race beverage using their bib as their ticket; you must have your bib with you to claim your meal and beverage! Spectators can purchase a meal for $5.00 and beverages are available to all for a small fee. Dance your cool down! You can work off lactic acid by dancing to the live music of Son of Mel & Slideman Grunow in the big tent immediately after the race. Saturday Evening Celebration at Rivers Eatery! The post-race festivities continue at The Rivers Eatery in Cable on Saturday night. One of the finest hangouts on the trails, Rivers is known for good pizza, good beer, and good people. Share your stories and enjoy live music from the Boomchucks at the after-party. Come cheer on the Ultra runners as they finish their 100-km run in the back yard at Rivers Eatery!

Awards

All award ceremonies will take place on the Champions Stage outside the big event tent on the Birkie Trail Run Festival grounds. Please join us in congratulating the winners for each race event and category! Please note, you must be present to receive your award! Courtesy of Salomon, Birkie Trail Run Festival title sponsor, first place male and female in the Marathon, Half Marathon, Ultra, and 5K will receive a certificate for a pair of Salomon trail-running shoes!

5k Overall and Age Group Ceremony at 11:00 am First place overall will be awarded a certificate for a pair of Salomon trail-running shoes. Second and Third place overall will be awarded a certificate for the Birkie Store. Top three Age Group winners will be awarded in the following categories: Under 8, 9-10, 11-12, 13-17, 18-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69,70-79, 80+ Half-Marathon Overall and Age Group Ceremony at 11:30 am

First place overall will be awarded a certificate for a pair of Salomon trail-running shoes. Overall winners will be awarded cash prizes; 1st $1000, 2nd $500, 3rd $300, 4th $100 Master (40+) Champion $250 Top three Age Group winners will be awarded in the following categories: 13-17,18-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80+ USATF Half Marathon Trail Championships Overall and Age Group Awards Runners who are members of USA Track & Field are eligible for medals for Top Ten Overall and top three in 5-year age groups for those 40 and over. Marathon and Relay Overall Ceremony at 12:15 pm First place overall will be awarded a certificate for a pair of Salomon trail-running shoes. Marathon overall winners will be awarded a Visa check card; 1st $200, 2nd $100, 3rd $50 Each team member of the overall winners of the 3- and 6-person marathon relay teams, in the following categories, will be awarded a certificate for a pair of Salomon shoes: Open Men; Open Women; Open Mixed; 40+ Men; 40+ Women; 40+ Mixed

Marathon Age Group Ceremony at 12:45 pm Top three Age Group winners will be awarded in the following categories: 18-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80+

If You Need Assistance on Race Day If you have any questions, please see any of the following on race day:

• Race chief - blue bibs

• Volunteers – orange bibs

• Bike Patrol and EMT staff – identified by their uniforms

• Medical Staff – in the identified medical tent Where to Stay Lodging information for locations in and around the Hayward, Seeley, and Cable areas is available from regional tourism offices. If you prefer, you can pitch your tent or park your camper within sight of the start/finish area! Camping is available at Birkie Ridge Trailhead on Friday, September 29th and Saturday, September 30th, for a $10 per night fee. There will be portable toilets, water, and a community fire pit available. No generators or pets are allowed at the campground. Camping pre-registration is available until Thursday, September 29, at 11:00pm.

• Check-in and register on site from 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Friday and at bib pick-up on Saturday.

• Check-out is by noon on Sunday

• Click here to register for Camping at Birkie Ridge Trailhead

Please call 715-634-5025 or email us at birkie@birkie.com with any questions!

Have a great race and thanks for participating in the

Birkie Trail Festival 2017!

Good luck!

Our Amazing Sponsors We’d like to give a shout-out to our amazing sponsors without whom the Birkie Trail Run Festival would not be possible! Thank you!

• Salomon – Title Sponsor Birkie Trail Run Festival

• CARLSON MD - Presenting Sponsor Marathon

• FITS - Presenting Sponsor Marathon Relay

• HydraPak - Presenting Sponsor Half-Marathon

• The Rivers Eatery - Presenting Sponsor 100K Ultra-Marathon

• Corner Deli - Post-Race Food & Beverage

• GU – Official Energy

• NUUN – Official Hydration

• Hayward Area Memorial Hospital & Waters Edge – Presenting Sponsor: Dive for the Dirt

• And, all our other fabulous sponsors!