February 25, 2010 (Hayward, Wisconsin) – With just 10 days til the American Birkebeiner in Cable and Hayward, Wis., Executive Director Ned Zuelsdorff announced it’s full steam ahead for the largest field of skiers ever in the 37th anniversary event.

“The trail is in excellent condition with a 10 to 15 inch base,” Zuelsdorff said. “The grooming crew is working very hard preparing for a full race course.”

That’s good news to the 10,000 skiers, 2,000 volunteers, 15,000 spectators and organizers of the 37th anniversary events that begins Thursday, Feb. 25 and culminates with the 50K Birkie Skate sponsored by Becker Law, 54K Subaru Birkie Classic, 23K Kortelopet sponsored by Marshfield Clinic-Hayward Center and State Bank of Drummond Prince Haakon 12K on Saturday, Feb. 27.

“We have more than 8,300 skiers registered for the 50K Birkie Skate, 54K Birkie Classic, 23K Kortelopet and Prince Haakon 12K,” Zuelsdorff said. “In addition, we expect another 1,000 kids, ages 3-13, to participate in the Salomon/Swiss Miss Barnebirkie, nearly 300 teens to race the CenturyTel Junior Birkie, and around 400 for the Cheqtel 5/10K events. In all, we are expecting over 10,000 participants in our 2010 American Birkebeiner races and events.”

Birkie staff are in high gear with last minute preparations for all of the events. Volunteers and staff are busy organizing awards, finish lines and food and staffing for the 11 aid stations along the Birkie course.

On race day, Honorary Race Starter, Governor Jim Doyle, will welcome the diverse gathering of cultures from around the world, count down to the starting gun, and send over 8,000 Birkie and Kortelopet skiers on their way.

Skiers from 20 countries and 47 U.S. states will participate in the American Birkebeiner. Aside from the United States, the top three countries represented are Canada, Norway and Finland. The top five U.S. states include Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Michigan and Colorado.

Skiers and spectators can stay informed about trail conditions and up to the minute event information by logging onto www.birkie.com.

Skiers are asked to register in person race week at event sites for the Salomon/Swiss Miss Barnebirkie, CenturyTel Junior Birkie, and Cheqtel 5K/10K and Johnson Bank Citizen Sprints.

Race registration for the Birkie, Kortelopet and Prince Haakon is closed. Birkie, Kortelopet and Prince Haakon skiers race bibs and packets may be picked up at Telemark Resort on Thursday, February 25th from Noon to 9:00 p.m. and on Friday, February 26th from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and on race morning, Saturday, February 27th from 6:00 to 9:00 a.m. at Telemark Resort.

In addition to races and events for all ages and fitness levels, Birkie 2010 features a Welcoming Ceremony, Ski Expo, On-Snow Demos, pasta feeds, music and lots more. For a complete Schedule of Events and up-to-the-minute information, log on to www.birkie.com.