The “Birkie” started in 1973 as a cross-country ski race from Hayward, Wisconsin, to the neighboring town of Cable, with only 35 skiers competing. Now it is the largest and most prestigious cross-country ski race in North America and attracts top skiers from all over the world. Other races held during the three-day festival include the Barnebirkie (for children) and the 10K Family Fun Ski. The American Birkebeiner is part of the Worldloppet, an international series of marathon races, and was patterned after the Birkebeiner Rennet in Lillehammer, Norway. Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary