FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Birkie Establishes Award Honoring Shellie Milford

The American Birkebeiner announced Sunday the establishment of a new award, The Shellie Milford Spirit of the Birkie Award.

Milford, the director of race operations, is retiring next month after 28 years with the Birkie.

“Shellie has been the glue holding the Birkie together for almost three decades,” said Birkebeiner executive director Ben Popp. “She’s been the face of the Birkie to many of our skiers and our thousands of volunteers, so we think it’s appropriate to honor her spirit and commitment by giving a permanent award in her name.”

Popp said the Milford Award will be given to a volunteer, race chief, vendor, community member or skier whose selfless, thoughtful or heroic act contributes to a successful race and a positive experience for participants in the Birkie.

The inaugural Milford Award was presented to Shellie Milford herself the day after the 2015 race at the Birkie Volunteer Party. “Fully 2000 community members volunteer every year so we can put on this world-class event,” Popp stated. “Almost all of them know Shellie, have worked with her and many have been recruited by her, so we thought surprising her with this award at the annual volunteer party would be fitting.”

The American Birkebeiner is the largest cross-country ski race in North America. In recent years, it has become a year-round enterprise to promote healthy, active lifestyles, also managing the Birkie Trail Run, the Fat Bike Birkie and the January Birkie Tour, all on the iconic ski trail from Cable to Hayward, Wis.

Shellie Milford is a long-time resident of Cable, where she lives with her husband and is often visited by three grown children and two grandchildren.