2016 Race Highlights

Birkebeiner 51K Skate

David Norris, USA 2:05:35
Caitlin Gregg, USA 2:22:44

Birkebeiner 54K Classic

Welly Ramsey, USA 2:48:59
Deedra Irwin, USA 3:11:58

Kortelopet 23K Skate

Anders Sonnesyn, USA 1:01:46
Abigail Drach, USA 1:06:25

Kortelopet 23K Classic

Mackinley Fitzpatrick, 1:10:15
Erin Moening, USA 1:24:06

Entrants

10, 102 (Birkebeiner Skate, 4557; Birkebiener Classic, 2486; Kortelopet Skate, 1625; Kortelopet Classic, 1434)

Race Summary

Thursday’s Elite Sprints took advantage of the International Bridge as part of the course. The Barkie Birkie and Giant Ski enjoyed large crowds of enthusiastic spectators along Main Street. Kikkan Randall, four-time Olympian and World Champion, was the Welcoming Ceremonies Torch Lighter and Honorary Starter of the race on Saturday morning.

Friday’s rain resulted in a somewhat slushy day of events. New for 2016, all of the Friday events started on Lake Hayward, with the Junior Birkie, Barnebirkie, Adaptive Ski and the 5K continuing onto land and up and over the International Bridge crossing Hwy 63.

Race day Saturday brought comfortable temperatures and good race conditions thanks to the efforts of the stellar grooming crew.

The Norwegian feature film, Birkebeinerne (given the name The Last King for the US showings) was premiered at the Park Theater in Hayward over the weekend to a packed house for each showing.