Friday, February 21, 2025 Skate 15K Race / Classic 15K Race Hayward, WI, USA
The Prince Haakon 15km is named after the baby prince who started it all! Skiers race 15km through the forest on the Birkie Trail, glide across frozen Lake Hayward, and ski over the infamous American Birkebeiner International Bridge towards the finish line on Hayward’s snow-covered Main Street. #Birkie2025
All participants must be 13 years of age or older on race day in order to register for the Prince Haakon.
Please register under the same name every year (exact spelling)in order to keep track of your previous race finishes. If you are unsure of the name you registered under previously, please call the Birkie office at 715-634-5025 or email registration@birkie.com.
To update personal info (email, address, etc) for this event at any time:
Scroll down to your event and click “Manage Registration”
Click on “Participant Info” (along either top or bottom menu)
Registration closing dates are determined by participant numbers/capacity and are not on a set, predetermined date. Event closings are announced to email subscribers, via social media posts, and on the website.
Skiers interested in skiing the Prince Haakon on Friday, the Birkie on Saturday, and the Open Track Korte on Wednesday can register for all races!
U20 Skiers
As part of the ABSF’s efforts to promote youth development in the sport, we will be offering a U20 (born in 2005 – 2012) age class wave for the Prince Haakon. U20 athletes will be the first off the starting line!
Registration Insurance
Protect your registration! Get reimbursed up to 100% on your registration if you can’t compete for a number of reasons. Fanshield offers Registration Cancellation Insurance so you can insure your non-refundable registration fee in the case of injury, illness, or other unexpected events. Fanshield Insurance can only be purchased during the initial registration transaction, and it cannot be added to an event registration after the transaction has been completed.
Birkie Gear Bags are a part of race day that will last years into the future. Don’t miss the special offer on the 2025 Birkie Gear Bag »
Event Change Request
Participants may request to change from the Prince Haakon to the American Birkebeiner, Kortelopet, or Open Track at any time until 11:59pm CST on January 14, 2025 unless an event is full (see allowed transfers below). Wave placement is subject to availability at time of request. If the wave that you qualify for is full, you will be assigned to the next wave with space available. Participants may no longer transfer to the American Birkebeiner or Kortelopet once they are full. A change fee of $25 will be applied. You will receive an updated e-mail confirmation reflecting the change once the change has been approved. If you do NOT receive an updated e-mail confirmation within 10 business days, contact registration@birkie.com.
All start times will be recorded when you ski through the start tower. Winners will be based on chip time and not based on the first to cross the finish line.
Prince Haakon 15K skiers will depart from the start area near Phipps Road, north of Hayward, WI. The first 2-kilometers of the course are 14′ wide with one classic track and one skate lane. The remainder of the course is shared with Kortelopet skiers and is 30′ wide with two classic tracks and two skating lanes. Prince Haakon skiers will ski across Lake Hayward and over the American Birkebeiner International Bridge as they make their way toward the finish line on Hayward’s snow covered Main Street. Cheering crowds and the ringing of cowbells will greet them on Main Street.
All Prince Haakon finishers will receive a medal when they cross the finish line!
The top three overall women and men will be recognized in a ceremony in the Celebration Plaza at 3:00 pm on Friday. Winners are based on overall, chip time, not the first to cross the finish line. There is no technique distinction in the awards.
