...do it today. Registration is capped at 8400 skiers for the 2011 Birkie and the Kortelopet. They are near that limit and announced today that registration will close at 6:00 p.m. tomorrow (12/18).
http://www.birkie.com/news_article/show/70462?referrer_id=104564
This is very early for the race to close. Last year, I think registrtaion was open until late January/early February.
It's a great race on a challenging course.
Hey...keep us posted on how
Hey...keep us posted on how DNS or DNF's there are if they keep track of that kind of thing. I've noticed a huge spike in long endurance events filling fast and at the same time the numbers of DNS/DNF have gone up too. I have some theories rolling around in my head and would like to know the data on the Birkie...Thanks!
Hey Anton, They don't
Hey Anton,
They don't publish stats on DNS/DNF on the race website anymore, but a reporter in the local rag says that, of approximately 6000 registrants for the 50k and 54k distances (full Birkie, different techniques), there were 600 DNS and 180 DNFs.
The DNS number seems somewhat high, until you consider that it was -10F at the start of the race. (2nd coldest Birkie ever--FIS rules don't allow you to go at -13F or colder) It never got above 6F all day. Lots of reported cases of frostbite. Faces, noses, and ears for the faster racers, then fingers and toes for the people out there 5+ hours. It was a tough run.
Thanks PJT...Damn! That's
Thanks PJT...Damn! That's cold! That 180 DNF is most impressive meaning it could have been WAY higher!
I Volunteered a 50 miler this past fall and they cut of registration at 200. 127 people showed up. That was a 35% DNS rate. I've talked to a few other folks who have been all over the country racing and they have said the same thing...races are filling faster than ever with large percentages of DNS which takes slots for serious folks.
I heard the Birkie this year
I heard the Birkie this year was rough. Lots of frostbite, etc. on such a cold day. I know two people who are in the DNS population :)
Anton wrote:Thanks
[quote=Anton]Thanks PJT...Damn! That's cold! That 180 DNF is most impressive meaning it could have been WAY higher!
I Volunteered a 50 miler this past fall and they cut of registration at 200. 127 people showed up. That was a 35% DNS rate. I've talked to a few other folks who have been all over the country racing and they have said the same thing...races are filling faster than ever with large percentages of DNS which takes slots for serious folks.[/quote]
I do think that the high DNS phenomonon is especially an issue in running events and big-name triathlons. These attract a ton of first timers, many of whom either get injured in training or realize along the way that they've bitten off more than they can chew. I do think that if this continues race organizers will just factor in the higher DNS percentage into their capacity, and thus make more money at no additional cost.
XC skiing seems to be a different animal. For one, there is only one "name" event in the US, and that's the Birkie. Smaller ski marathons might have only a couple hundred people total. And these events are all heavy with veteran skiers. The Birkie, more than any other race, rewards its repeat customers. Every year you finish you get a different pin or medal noting the number of finishes. Only previous Birkie skiers can qualify for the first 3 starting waves, and the old-timers who have done 20+ or 30+ races even wear special bibs, get preferential wave placement, etc.
I think the DNF rate this year was so low both because it was a race full of vets and because there are very few places where it is convenient to drop out of the race if you're too cold. You could be standing at an aid station for a while before anyone can get you to shelter. It's just easier and safer to keep going if at all possible.