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College buddies, Mike Sund and Scott Clements first took on the Birkie challenge as UW Madison students. Now, about to ski their 38th Birkie over 40 years later, they reflect on the meaning the Birkie has brought to their lives. Through several moves, now grown families, and cabins in the Hayward area, both Mike and Scott are committed to keeping the Birkie flame burning brightly for themselves and the many people in their lives who have joined them. Almost everyone I've met has close friends who got them started, or who motivate them to keep going. I'm thrilled to share this enduring friendship as an example of such a relationship.

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Welcome to the Birch Legacies podcast. We are sharing stories celebrating the motivation, the perserverence, and the lifestyle choices necessary to reach the status of Birchlegger - that is, skiers who have completed 20 or more Birkies, Korteloppets, or a combination of both. We would love to hear from Birchleggers young and old (that's you!) who have a story to tell about what keeps them coming back year after year.

If you would like to appear on the podcast, please send Jon Peterson an email at jtpeterson425@gmail.com or you can fill out this form

Learn more about the Birchleggings Club and become a member

Birkie Website

Buy the new book, "American Birkebeiner: The Nations Greatest Ski Marathon" by Jerome Poling

Available at the ...

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Winning the Birkie once puts you into the history books. Winning the skate Birkie, the classic birkie, and both the skate and classic Korte's makes you a legend in the long history of this great event. Kelly Skillicorn is the only person to have won all four major Birkie events. Another aspect of her feat is that her two Birkie wins were 20 years apart: 1988 and 2008. Kelly's story begins in high school in Blaine, Minnesota in the early 80's (before skate skiing) and continues today as she lines up for her 25th Birkie in 2026.

Her description of those winning races and other memorable Birkies is fun to hear for those of us not in the lead pack. She appreciates those special days when the course is like a snow globe and when all the factors - wax, skis, temperature, and body - are working in your favor.

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Welcome to the Birch Legacies podcast. We are sharing stories celebrating the motivation, the perserverence, and the lifestyle choices necessary to reach the status of Birchlegger - that is, skiers who have completed 20 or more Birkies, Korteloppets, or a combination of both. We would love to hear from Birchleggers young and old (that's you!) who have a story to tell about what keeps them coming back year after year.

If you would like to appear on the podcast, please send Jon Peterson an email at jtpeterson425@gmail.com or you can fill out this form

Learn more about the Birchleggings Club and become a member

Birkie Website

Buy the new book, "American Birkebeiner: The Nations Greatest Ski Marathon" by Jerome Poling

Available at the ...

Send us a text

Kurt Schroeder of LaCrosse, Wisconsin is the perfect example of a Birchlegger who just enjoys the year-round camaraderie of like-minded people who want to stay fit. His 'EMAG' group in LaCrosse is an inter-generational bunch of men and women who will go out with headlamps at 5:30 in the morning to bike, ski and run together. Kurt's philosophy is to just enjoy the experience and not worry about your place in the race. Now, with his 45th race just ahead, he is looking forward to starting in the 'Spirit of 35" wave and looking back on the many experiences that brought him to the front line.

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Welcome to the Birch Legacies podcast. We are sharing stories celebrating the motivation, the perserverence, and the lifestyle choices necessary to reach the status of Birchlegger - that is, skiers who have completed 20 or more Birkies, Korteloppets, or a combination of both. We would love to hear from Birchleggers young and old (that's you!) who have a story to tell about what keeps them coming back year after year.

If you would like to appear on the podcast, please send Jon Peterson an email at jtpeterson425@gmail.com or you can fill out this form

Learn more about the Birchleggings Club and become a member

Birkie Website

Buy the new book, "American Birkebeiner: The Nations Greatest Ski Marathon" by Jerome Poling

Available at the ...