40th American Birkebeiner information

40th American Birkebeiner

What: North America’s largest cross-country ski marathon

Where:Fifty kilometers from Cable to Main Street in Hayward (54 kilometers for classic skiers)

When:8 a.m. Saturday

Who:A record field of 10,000 s registered for the Birkie and its support races, the 23K Kortelopet and the 12K Prince Haakon. In all, there will be 13,000 participants during the three-day event.

Today’s schedule in Hayward:12:30 p.m.: Barnebirkie races for children ages 3 to 13 down Main Street, followed by Ski Games at 1:30 p.m. and Elite Sprints at 2:30 p.m.;

1-9 p.m.: Birkie Expo (at Hayward Middle School); 5 p.m.: “Nikkerbeiner” 5K featuring wooden skis and retro gear celebrating Birkie’s 40 years; 6 p.m.: torch lighting, welcome ceremony and parade of nations followed by “Blast with the Past” event in the Celebration Tent and Family Fun Ski.

Saturday’s forecast:Thirty percent chance of snow with a light wind and high of 32 degrees

Tags: sports