Skiers "running" the Birkie on Hwy 63.

2000 Race Highlights

Entrants

6,335 (Birkebeiner 4,838; Kortelopet 1,497)

Summary

Johnson Bank became the major sponsor of the Birkebeiner.

Ten days before the scheduled race, a foot of snow fell in the Cable and Hayward area causing the skiing community and race organizers to rejoice. Then the temperatures climbed and rain started to fall on Monday.

For the first time in race history the Birkebeiner and Kortelopet were cancelled due to warm weather and rain during the week resulting in the deterioration of the trail. Two other races in the Worldloppet series were cancelled in 2000.

However, the other events, including the Elite Sprints, Citizen Sprints, Junior Birkie and Barnebirkie were able to take place on Thursday and Friday.

On Saturday, skiers wearing bibs were seen running down Hwy 63, slogging, running through the race course (unsupported) and a few actually finished on Main Street in Hayward. Some travelled to other areas to ski, wearing their Birkie or Korte bibs proudly.

All of the support food and drink from the food stations was brought to the parking lot adjacent to the Birkie office for a day-long gathering, complete with live music.