The 47th Annual American Birkebeiner Race Is Scheduled For February
The 2021 American Birkebeiner will go on as planned with COVID-19 precautions in place. The race will take place in Cable Wisconsin over 5 days from Wednesday, February 24 through Sunday, February 28.
There will be three days of Freestyle Technique racing on Wednesday, Feb. 24, Thursday, Feb. 25, and Saturday, Feb. 27 and 2 days of Classic Technique racing on Friday, February 26 and Sunday, February 28. Plus other activities, races for the entire family and expo.
Some Pandemic precautions being done are the race will be conducted in smaller waves and start times will be spread out as well. A looped course from the American Birkebeiner Trailhead in Cable, will bring you from the starting line to the finish line, unlike races in the past that finished in downtown Hayward with thousands of spectators. Other safety precautions and protocols are limited participant numbers, touch points, and more. Also they will not offer bus transportation or have warming tents.
For skiers who do not feel comfortable to participate in the race in person they will be offering a virtual option. If this is the option you would like to do during registration Select the “virtual” button. You will get your race bib, your hat, and if you complete your race (on skis or rollerskis from wherever you are), you’ll get credit and earn your pin. They are also featuring an update page to answer any questions that may arise.
For participants in the race it will seem different then in years past without the revelry and cheers of the crowds, but for so many athletes both professional and amateur it is the love of the sport and the competition that remains the same.