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Jerry Poling is the author of the new book "American Birkebeiner: The Nation's Greatest Ski Marathon" published by the Wisconsin Historical Society Press.

A Birchlegger himself with 25 Birkies and 4 Kortes under his belt, Jerry is the perfect person to chronicle the Birkie's first 50 years. He is an experienced journalist and has written four other books. 

We had a great time talking about his own Birkie experiences and how those inspired him to write the book. He conducted countless hours of research, interviews, and deep dives into the Birkie archives to combine personal stories, key moments in the race's history, and some surprising facts about this epic challenge. The book also includes over 150 photos! He has a great respect for those who made the race happen and for the race's influence on all who ski it.

Buy the book:

Available at the Wisconsin Historical Society Press

and online at The Birkie Store or in-person at the store.

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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 [email protected] or you can fill out this form

Learn more about the Birchleggings Club and become a member

Birkie Website

Send us a text

Ian Duncan's journey to the Birkie start line is pretty unusual. There probably aren't many Edinburgh, Scotland boarding school students who end up skiing 39 Birkies. Even fewer who can count Bjorn Daehlie as a friend. Dr. Ian Duncan has spent his life working to find solutions to Multiple Sclerosis and other brain disorders in his career at UW Madison. His research is ongoing and still productive so he continues his efforts even after retiring from teaching at the University. About 15 years ago, he was part of the team who organized the Ski for a Cure efforts on behalf of MS research and together they raised $300,000 dollars toward that cause. In doing so, he was able to bring Bjorn Daehlie and Vegard Ulvang to help raise interest and awareness for that work.

The 2013 Wisconsin Public Television documentary, 'MS, the Vikings and Nordic Skiing' tells the story of six skiers (3 in Norway and 3 in the US) with MS who train to ski their respective Birkies. It's a really interesting story and I recommend it to everyone. Ian was instrumental in producing this story, and is featured in it.

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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 [email protected] or you can fill out this form

Learn more about the Birchleggings Club and become a member

Birkie Website

Send us a text

From his youth in western Massachusetts to living in northwestern Wisconsin, Jim Kelley probably wouldn't have scripted it this way. But, a chance encounter in Florida led him to move across the country to become a Birkie skier - now a Birchlegger with 27 Birkies under his belt -  who thinks about the Birkie everyday.

Jim is a very accomplished runner with a background in wildlife management and a career working for the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service. His love for the outdoors began as a high school skier and ski jumper and continues today as he looks for any opportunity to enjoy the beautiful Wisconsin north woods.

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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 [email protected] or you can fill out this form

Learn more about the Birchleggings Club and become a member

Birkie Website

Send us a text

Scott Cooper's commitment to the Birkie is hard to match. From naming his son Birk to employing a Birkie clause in his will, Scott's 40 Birkies are just one part of the story. He has made the Birkie a central part of his life and his family and friends share in the experience in many ways.

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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 [email protected] or you can fill out this form

Learn more about the Birchleggings Club and become a member

Birkie Website

Send us a text

John Kotar is a Birkie Founder, creator of the Birchleggings Club, and former member of the ABSF Board of Directors. He completed the Birkie 39 times, as well as the Canadian and Norwegian Birkebeiners, many World Loppet races, and innumerable local and regional races. His story is a unique one and his perspective is at once personal and universal to every Birkie skier. I think you will enjoy John's telling of the first ever Birkie and his poignant recollections of everything the Birkie has meant to him and others.  

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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 [email protected] or you can fill out this form

Learn more about the Birchleggings Club and become a member

Birkie Website

Send us a text

Travis Hinck graduated from Park Center High School in 2001. He has skied every Birkie since then and now has 23 Birkies under his belt. This makes him one of the youngest class of Birchleggers. In those years his life has evolved like so many in his age group. He now has a young family and his approach to skiing the Birkie has evolved as well. I think most skiers can relate to the changing demands on our time over the years and the benefits of making the Birkie (and skiing) a family affair. 

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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 [email protected] or you can fill out this form

Learn more about the Birchleggings Club and become a member

Birkie Website

Send us a text

Michael Schaefer is a Sports Medicine physician who grew up in Northern Wisconsin but has spent his entire adult life skiing in the Cleveland, Ohio area. He has managed to train for and ski the Birkie 26 times and even spent some years in the elite wave. His dad skied 33 Birkies and both his parents were expert skiers who encouraged his whole family to get outdoors year-round. Michael shares stories of the early years in Wisconsin, 'skivangelizing' in the Ohio ski scene, and the deep connections that skiing has helped to create for family and friends. He even hands out some tips about staying healthy, fit, and well-balanced as we plan to return to the Birkie start line each February.    

Dad (Phil) did 33 Birkies, Mom (Jean) did 8 or 9, Sister Bethany 20, Cousin Steve Weber 30, Dad's dear friend Ed Clary retired at 82 with 35 Birkies!

- Michael talked about the app he uses called 'Whoop' to monitor his training using a wearable device

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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 [email protected] or you can fill out this form

Learn more about the Birchleggings Club and become a member

Birkie Website

Send us a text

Terry Berry skied 41 Birkies and lived his life like so many Birchleggers - skiing, training, and creating a legacy for others to appreciate and to follow. Terry's wife, Diane shares stories from their time together and how she and Terry, along with family and friends, created memories they'll never forget. 

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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 [email protected] or you can fill out this form

Learn more about the Birchleggings Club and become a member

Birkie Website

Send us a text

Kim Rudd is a parent, a coach, an adventure travel leader, and an elite wave Birchlegger! In every role she aims to inspire and empower others to enjoy the outdoors and all the challenges and the beauty one can find there. 

Kim has found the balance necessary to ski fast while being grateful for the ability to be in the woods flying along the trails wherever they take you.

Kim's adventure travel company: Endurance Adventures

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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 [email protected] or you can fill out this form

Learn more about the Birchleggings Club and become a member

Birkie Website

Send us a text

In 2004 after preparing to ski his best Birkie ever, Thom Gerst had one of the most memorable Birkies he could have imagined. Just not the way he thought...

Listen to Thom tell his story of the one-ski Birkie as first published in the Birch Scroll that year. Thom then tells us what he has been up to since then and how he keeps active in his post-Birkie life.

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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 [email protected] or you can fill out this form

Learn more about the Birchleggings Club and become a member

Birkie Website