January 4, 2007 (Hayward, Wisconsin) – They come in all shapes and sizes and from all walks of life. Some have done it dozens of times while others are embarking on their first long-distance ski journey. Some come to compete against themselves. Others simply want to mark it off their “to do” list. They’re cross country skiers and they’re gearing up for the 34th annual American Birkebeiner ski races from February 22-24, 2007 in Cable and Hayward, Wis.

More than 9,000 skiers will join the colorful pageantry. While 7,000 skiers set their sights on the 51-kilometer American Birkebeiner and 23-kilometer Kortelopet, another 2,500 are bound for the shorter races and events that dominate the three-day event.

And they’re doing all kinds of things to get in shape for it.

“Some are roller skiing. Some are running. And a whole lot of them are flocking to the Birkie Trail and other trails with snow to meet ski friends, kick out the kinks, and get ready for race day,” said Ned Zuelsdorff, Executive Director of the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation.

The Birkie attracts serious athletes.

Carl Swenson, 3-time Olympian, 12-time National Champion and 1998 Birkie Champion from Salt Lake City, Utah, will be at the start line for his fifth American Birkebeiner. He plans to ski a smart race from start to finish and will have his eye on the podium as he thunders up Main Street on Feb. 24.

Connie Carpenter-Phinney, American professional cycle racer and speed skater who won four medals in World Cycling Championship competitions, a Gold medal at the 1984 Summer Olympics and 12 U.S. national championship titles, will also be at the Birkie starting line. This Boulder, Colo., skier says the Birkie challenge is just what she needs as she approaches her 50th birthday.

The Birkie attracts recreational athletes.

Adrian Kortesmaki, a contestant on NBCs hit show “Biggest Loser Wins,” says being part of the Birkie has always been a dream. When the 21-year-old contestant from Grand Forks, N.D., finished Biggest Loser minus 53 lbs. and 25 percent of her body weight, she knew she could apply her newfound confidence to her next goal: skiing the Kortelopet. In addition to being at the start line on race day, Adrian will present an inspiring message during a Feb. 23 seminar.

Kris Hennum, a musician from the Dousman, Wis. area, will ski his 13th Birkie in 2007. The Wave 6 skier definitely has Birkie Fever and even composed a song with a mantra that sticks with listeners – “Birkie Fever, I’m a true believer, just get me to the start line, I’ll be ready to go…” Listen to the full song at: http://63.134.240.83/?page=1046

The Birkie attracts those who want to Ski for the Cure.

Emily Lanin, 4-time Birkie skier from Brainerd, Minn., will be wearing a pink race bib when she enters the Wave 7 starting gate for the 2007 Kortelopet. The bib shows she’s a breast cancer survivor. Prior to race day Emily will be soliciting pledges for the Ski for the Cure program and volunteering at the Ski for the Cure booth collecting donations, which will be sent to the Komen Foundation, host of the Race for the Cure® events held throughout the United States.

Peter Areson, a general surgeon from Ashland, Wis., is bound for his second Birkie and participation in the Ski for the Cure program. This Wave 3 skier wears a pink ribbon on his white coat at work each day and says it’s a priority to increase awareness, diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer as one in eight women are affected. Like all Ski for the Cure participants, he’ll collect pledges and wear a pink ribbon on race day.

“It’s inspiring to hear skier stories and discover how the Birkie motivates them to stay in shape year-round,” Zuelsdorff said. “And there’s no doubt about it; Birkie Fever is on the rise as skiers’ anticipate the big day. We invite everyone to join us!”

For more information or to register for the Subaru American Birkebeiner, Kortelopet sponsored by the State Bank of Drummond and Cable Chamber of Commerce, 12K Johnson Bank Prince Haakon, CenturyTel Junior Birkie, Sons of Norway/Swiss Miss Barnebirkie, Cheqtel 5K/10K Race for Families, Salomon Elite Sprints, and the Ski for the Cure II, log on to www.birkie.com, email birkie@birkie.com or call 715/634-5025.

Birkie 2007 is sponsored by Subaru, State Bank of Drummond, Cable Chamber of Commerce, Johnson Bank, Superior Publishing and other businesses throughout the country.

About the Birkie: Celebrating its 34th year, the American Birkebeiner (1-800-USA-BRKE; www.birkie.com), February 22-24, 2007, is North America’s largest and most prestigious cross-country ski marathon. Spanning 51 kilometers from Cable to Hayward, the Birkie is one of 14 races in the Worldloppet international circuit, part of the American Ski Marathon series of 14 races, and part of the lives of citizen skiers from all walks of life and from around the world. Sponsors of Birkie 2007 include Subaru, State Bank of Drummond, Cable Chamber of Commerce, Johnson Bank, Superior Publishing and other businesses throughout the region and country. Find out more at www.birkie.com or call 715/634-5025.