Seeley Hills Classic

Saturday, January 11, 2025 and Now SUNDAY, January 12!
Classic 42K Race / Classic 22K Race
Seeley, WI

New 2025 Details

Venue: Moved to the American Birkebeiner Trailhead
Distance: 42K is now 35K, 20K still 20K
Course: 5K lap- 7 laps for Full race, 4 laps for Half race
Saturday now includes High School and Middle School races!
Saturday after party at the Sawmill Saloon in Seeley
New SUNDAY 20K SKATE RACE!
- Only $45! No frills, just great racing!
- Last minute addition to the line up! Don’t miss out on making it a weekend of fun!
- Race bib, on course nutrition, but not much else! Just a great course and racing at its best!
- Including High School and Middle School races!

2025 Participant Guide

1/4/2025 Update #3

We are so sorry to hear about recent race cancellations in the Midwest! The Seeley Hills Classic is on and will be held at the American Birkebeiner Trailhead! We want to provide as much racing on snow this winter, so we’re adding in High School and Middle School races AND a 20K Skate Race on Sunday, January 12! See below for an updated schedule and more information!

1/2/2025 Update #2

The venue for the Seeley Hills Classic has changed to the American Birkebeiner Trailhead. Our Trail Crew is hard at working making more snow to lengthen and improve the course. We’ll post a new course map soon!

12/31/24 Update

For the second year in a row, Mother Nature is being stingy with the snow! Thankfully our Trail Crew has been hard at work making snow at Mt. Telemark Village. They are going to be able to create a 5K loop there that will be a fun and challenging race course. The Seeley Hills Classic will be on! Stay tuned for updates on distances and race schedule. We’ll still be celebrating the day at the Sawmill Saloon in Seeley, you’ll still get a great hat, and it will be a great opportunity to challenge yourself and get ready for the rest of winter. Register now if you haven’t already and get ready to race!

2025 Seeley Hills Classic Registration is Now Open!

	May 13 - Sept 12	Sept 13 - Nov 14	Nov 15 - Dec 19	Dec 20 - Jan 11
22k or 42k Classic	$80	$90	$100	$110
22k - 18 years old and under on race day	$40	$40	$40	$50
Sunday's Pop-up Race				$45!- No Frills!

The first 500 race participants to pick up their bib will receive a Seeley Hills Classic hat.
Participants must be 15 years of age or older on race day to compete in the full race. Participants must be 10 years of age or older on race day to compete in the half race.
Age-based pricing is available for participants 18 years of age and younger on race day for the Seeley Hills Classic Half.

Registration Insurance

Protect your Birkie 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.

Please see policy for complete list of covered perils here.
Limitations and exclusions apply. See terms and conditions.

Race Changes

Race registration changes may be made until 7:00pm Friday, January 10.

To change your race event (ALL EVENTS):
- Log in to your RunSignUp Profile HERE
- Scroll down to your event and click on “Manage Registration”
- Click on “Transfer Event” (along both top and bottom menus).
- Then select which new race you want to transfer to and complete new registration. You will be charged any differences and/or associated fees in the final cart.

Please email registration@birkie.com with registration questions.

Bib pick-up and race start and finish for the Seeley Hills Classic is at the Derksen Family Great Hall at American Birkebeiner Trailhead, Cable, Wisconsin.

Arrive at the start from Telemark Rd. Take Hwy M east from Cable for 2 miles, then take a right (south) on Telemark Rd. and follow the signs to parking and/or check-in.

Friday, January 10

4:00pm – 7:00pm — Derksen Family Great Hall, American Birkebeiner Trailhead

Saturday, January 11

7:00am — Derksen Family Great Hall, American Birkebeiner Trailhead

Sunday, January 12

8:00am — Derksen Family Great Hall

New 2025 Seeley Hills Classic Race Schedule

Saturday, January 11

9:00am – 20K (Half) Start

11:00am – 35K (Full) Start

1:30pm – HS Boys Start, followed by HS Girls

1:50pm – MS Boys Start, followed by MS Girls

3:00pm – Race Cut-Off

Sunday, January 12

9:00am – 20K SKATE Start

11:00am – HS/MS SKATE race

Course Maps

New course! All races will be on a 5K loop at the American Birkebeiner Trailhead on the Tormendson Snowmaking Loops.

5K Course Loop on Ride with GPS: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/49411681

Course Description

Those skiing the HALF race will complete 4, 5K laps – for an approximate distance of 20K. Those registered for the FULL race will complete 7, 5K laps – for an approximate distance of 35K. These race distances are subject to change depending on conditions.

The Seeley Hills races will be hosted on a rolling 5K course, all on man-made snow, with 120m of climbing per lap, including one significant climb. All races will start at the American Birkebeiner Trailhead under the start arch. Skiers will begin on a short section of the Birkie Skate trail and turn left onto the Tormondson Family Snowmaking Trails. Skiers will be utilizing those core snowmaking and competition trails – over the Tunnel, through the Competition Stadium, and loop out through Telehenge from there. On the return, skiers will complete the staples we know and love: the Deck loop, Elevator Shaft, World Cup climb, Carousel turn, and will head back to the Competition Stadium on the Birkie Roller. Once down the hill, skiers will finish through the Tunnel and back to the Birkie start to lap and/or finish.

Aid Stations

Learn How to Refuel With Untapped!

Wax & Race Policy

The American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation encourages participants of all events on the Birkie Trail to use non-fluorinated waxes. As a member and supporter of US Ski and Snowboard, no fluorocarbon waxes will be allowed at the Seeley Hills Classic. Read our complete race policy here.

Race Schedule

Saturday

1:30pm – HS Boys Start

1:40pm – HS Girls Start

1:50pm – MS Boys Start

2:00pm – MS Girls Start

Sunday

11:00am – HS/MS Skate Race

Details to Know:

High School – will complete one lap of the race course (5k)
Middle School – will complete an abbreviated lap of the course (2.5-3k)
No Aid Available – high school and middle school race participants will not have access to the lap aid station, however water will be made available inside of the Derksen Family Great Hall
High school and middle school racers will not receive a Seeley Hills Classic hat or post-race meal at the Sawmill.

Awards

The top 6 finishers of each race will receive an award! The awards will be presented to the winners immediately following the High School and Middle School races outside of the Derksen Family Great Hall.

Post-Race Party

11:00am – 3:30pm – Sawmill Saloon, Seeley, WI

The Sawmill you know and love! Come ready to warm-up with a cup of hot soup included in your registration.

Awards Ceremony

1:30pm- 20K Awards Ceremony, Sawmill Saloon, Seeley WI

2:30pm – 35K Awards Ceremony, Sawmill Saloon, Seeley WI

Penman Award

1st place: $1000
2nd place: $250
3rd place: $125

Awarded to the top 3 male and female finishers in the Full Race! Special thanks to Pioneer Midwest for supporting classic skiing and Gary Penman’s hope that classic skiing live on and be celebrated.

Age Group Categories – Top 2 in Each Age Group

Full Race

29 years and under
30 – 39 years
40 – 49 years
50 – 59 years
60 – 69 years
70 + years

Half Race

19 years and under
20 – 29 years
30 – 39 years
40 – 49 years
50 – 59 years
60 – 69 years
70 + years

Course Map & Description

The 20K Skate race complete 4-laps, utilizing the same 5K loop from Saturday’s classic race day. See above for further details and information.

Aid Station

There will be ONE aid station on the 20K Skate course, as skiers lap through at the American Birkebeiner Trailhead.

Awards

The top 3 finishers will receive an award. The awards will be presented to the winners immediately following the race outside of the Derksen Family Great Hall.

The Sunday Skate race is going back to the basics. Aid station food/fuel will be available for skiers. There will not be a post-race party/food for finishers after the 20K Skate race.

Do you have an interest to volunteer for the Seeley Hills Classic? We need help with Aid Stations, Awards, Bibs, Parking, Start and Finish area. Click here to review available shifts.

Event timing and results provided by PrimeTime Timing

2024 Results »

2023 Results »

2022 Results »

2021 Results »

2020 Results »

2019 Results »

Say Cheese!

Event photos provided by Once In A Blue Moon Studio – Kelly Randolph Photography. View Seeley Classic photos here. >>

North Woods Getaway

The Seeley Hills Classic races will start and finish at the Hwy OO Trailhead in Seeley, WI. Within driving distance from Duluth, MN 1:30, Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN 3:00, Madison, WI 4:50, and Chicago, IL 7:20.