American Birkebeiner Is Unique

On Thursday, Feb. 24th and Friday, Feb. 25th, the Hayward (Wisconsin) Middle School had more people in it than the Madison, Wisconsin State House, by far. And all 20,000 of them were in a lot better mood than the Madison crowd. They were there to participate in The American Birkebeiner, the largest cross country skiing event in North America. On Saturday morning, 8500 of them would ignore the -2 degree cold, step into the bindings of their freshly waxed skis, ski to their assigned starting area and wait for the starting gun, the signal to begin an all day celebration of their sport and the heritage of the Birkebeiner, who, 800 years ago, spawned the event with their unselfish acts of heroism. The rest of the 20,000, plus thousands more would congregate at strategic points along the 34 mile course and offer the skiers food, water, gatorade and a cacophony of cheers and cow bells and drums and high school bands. Some would dress in the costume of 13th century Norway and others would dress just for warmth. Whatever their activity, there was no mistaking that it was a party built around an event, some skiing to win, others to be able to say that they finished the Birkie.
  The organization and preparation of the American Birkebeiner is unparalleled. For sheer logistics,it's on a par with  events like the Boston Marathon or the Head of the Charles Regatta - simply an amazing act of dedication by countless individuals working in harmony for a common goal, another successful Birkie. Thanks, Birkie.