Okay, so Jan Horak and David Eckel aren’t really competing to see who can do the most American Birkebeiner races, but as Horak said, “Over my dead body will he beat me!” Of course Jan is the one that brought Eckel to his first Birkie 36 years ago, and the two friends have been coming back every year since.
This year Horak skied the classic portion of the race, finishing the 55 K (33 miles) event in 5:54. “Last year I finished in a little over six hours so it was nice to be a little faster this year.
“This year I had a senior moment. It’s really cold so I put on green wax, which works best for cold. But then I put on my glide wax and fused over my green (kick) wax. The first 100 yards my glide was tremendous.
“But unfortunately my green wax didn’t work. I struggled for 7 ks until I ran into the guy who hands out poles for people who have broken theirs or dropped a pole. He had some blue wax and he helped me wax my skis.
“He noticed my name and asked me if I was Noah’s father. I told him yes and he said he has followed Noah on the Internet for the last 2 ½ half years as he takes his around the world motorcycle trip. What can I say, it’s small world?
“Once the blue wax was on I didn’t have any more problems with my skis. I do have a problem skiing in the cold. It took me half of the race to warm up. At times I felt like I was on the Bataan Death March, but I would stop at the aid stations and eat bananas or an energy bar and get something to drink and get my energy back. Back in the 1980s I finished this race in 3:27, but everyone my age is turning silver now, so I can’t be too concerned about the time.
“Because I was one of the oldest starters—I’m going to be 68 soon—I was one of 35 skiers to start 10 minutes ahead of the pack. The first Birkie had 35 skiers, so it’s one of the ways for honoring the race. It was fun to interact with the younger skiers as they would go by me. ‘Hey greybeard, you’re looking great,’ they would say. I plan to be back for next year’s race. I do Grandma’s Marathon in June and then six months later I do the Birkie. It’s great to have goals. It keeps me motivated.”
Dave Eckel was upbeat even if he didn’t have one of his best days at the Birkie.
“I had a good race but I wasn’t in shape,” said Eckel. “I finished in 6:03, so my time was down from other years. I tightened up and hit the wall at about three quarters of the race. My wax was great, but my body gave up. Still, I kept going and willed my way to the finish. I’m sore now in places that I’m usually not sore. But overall I would have to say the experience was really good. And of course, I expect to be back next year. Only this time in better shape,” said Eckel.
Some other Birkie participants were Nancy Rova who skated the 51k race in a great time of 4:01:08. Her husband, Jonathan skated in with a fine time of 3:43:09.
Long-time Birkie finisher Tim Kennedy skied the 55k race and finished in 5:16, belying his 65-69 age group. Jane Shinners finished the 55k classic in 5:32:17 placing well in the women’s 55-59 age group.
Local skiers joined with over 11,000 other cross country ski racers who come from the world over to make this North America’s largest cross country skiing event, and one of the great cross country ski races in the world.
This was the 42nd annual ski from Cable to Hayward, Wisconsin race.
American Holly Brooks won the women’s elite main event while Antonella Confortola of Itlaly won the men’s elite race.
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