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Chequamegon 40

September 13, 2025

Some compete in the headliner event for the chance to be called champion. But most are in it for the adventure and personal challenge.

2025 Athlete Guide coming soon

The Chequamegon 40 travels from downtown Hayward, WI over the famed American Birkebeiner Ski Trail and along picturesque trails of varying terrain finishing at the Great Hall in Cable, WI.

AGE GROUP COURSE MAP (no pros)

For the safety of all riders, please follow these rollout safety tips:

  • Ride in control at all times
  • Hold a steady and secure position until you hit the dirt
  • Move with caution, each move you make in a mass start rollout impacts fellow riders
  • Do not try to jump ahead of riders in the rollout
  • Never leave the pavement
  • Be aware of changing positions and paces of fellow riders
  • Call out to others and announce your intentions when noticing change of pace, hidden hazard or any other pack dynamic that may impact the group

Chequamegon 40 course will be marked with ORANGE signs.

Aid Stations will be available for athletes competing in the Cheq 40, NOT the Pro field*. Aid Stations will offer HOIST hydration products, Honey Stinger Waffles, Anderson’s Maple Gels, and more! Locations are as follows:

  • Gravel Pit Aid Station | Mile 12
  • OO Aid Station | Mile 18
  • High Point Aid Station | Mile 30

*Pro field can have neutral, mechanic and nutritional support at OO only.

For the safety of our volunteers and our riders, cut-off times have been added to various checkpoints. If you do not make the cut-off time, your number will be pulled and you can choose to be transported via sag vehicle to the finish or ride a short-cut route (after you sign a waiver.) Additionally, any finish time after 6 hours (4:00PM) will be listed as a DNF.

  • 11:45 AM – Aid Station 1 – Gravel Pit (Mile 12)
  • 12:33 PM – Aid Station 2 – OO (Mile 18)
  • 2:15 PM – Aid Station 3 – High Point (Mile 30)
  • 4:00 PM – COURSE CUTOFF –  all riders must be complete, anyone not complete at this time will be a DNF

Coral Placement

Please use your best placement from previous Chequamegon 40 results during the years 2018 – 2024 to determine your appropriate corral placement as you register for the 2025 Cheq 40. Riders without past Chequamegon event results and who did not provide a race resume for consideration will by default be placed in the last start gate. The decision of the race officials is final. You may request a gate review by emailing Peter Spencer at pspencer@lt.life.

Gate 1 Male 1-200 : Female 1-450 
Gate 2 Male 201-450 : Female 451-750 
Gate 3 Male 451-700 : Female 751-1000 
Gate 4 Male 701-1000 : Female 1001-1250 
Gate 5 Male 1001-1300 : Female 1251-1450 
Gate 6 Male/Female 1451 and up OR NEW PARTICIPANT

Start Gate Time Splits for the Chequamegon 40

Pro/Elite:
12:30pm – Women’s Start
1:00pm Men’s Start
Age Class:
10:00am

Please note, all age class participants will not be eligible for Pro/Elite awards, and all Pro/Elite participants will not be considered for age class awards.
Pro/Elite – To be considered for a Pro/Elite start, please contact Peter Spencer at
pspencer@lt.life

Placement in Gates

Each participant’s start gate will be indicated on their laminated handlebar number provided at bib pickup. You may not enter start gates with a lower number, however, you may enter a start gate with a higher number. Loading in assigned gates is on a first-come, first-served basis. Please show up early to load into your gate for best placement and to ensure you will get in your gate.

No Ghost Bikes Allowed at the Start Line, period.

Bike Drop Off Times:
Saturday 6:30am – 8:00am

Location: Hayward Primary School gym on the west end of Main Street, near the start line.

Drop your bike off in your assigned gate corral
Number plate MUST be attached

See attached map

Need a Seat on the Bus?
If you’ve already registered for the Chequamegon 40 and would like a spot on the bus, visit our store to buy a pass STORE

Details

Saturday buses will be rolling on a continual basis on the times below
First bus leaves at 8:30am
Last bus leaves at 8:50am

Pick-up Location: Great Hall 42225 Telemark Rd, Cable, WI

  • $10 fee per person
  • NO POST EVENT BUSING – ONLY MORNING BUSING

Friday of Race Week

Hours: 2:00pm – 7:00pm
Location: Great Hall 42225 Telemark Rd, Cable, WI

Saturday of Race Week

Hours: 7:00am – 9:30am
Location: Hayward Primary School gym on the west end of Main Street, near the start line.

Champion’s Awards (Pro/Elite Division Male/Female)
• $10,000 cash prize purse
• Men’s: 1st $2,500 | 2nd $1,000 | 3rd $750 | 4th $500 | 5th $250
• Women’s: 1st $2,500 | 2nd $1,000 | 3rd $750 | 4th $500 | 5th $250
• Pro/Elite Division is not eligible for age class awards

Overall Awards
Top 3 men and women in the Chequamegon 40 will be recognized and receive an award.
• Overall award winners will be taken out of their age class
• Age Class participants are not eligible for Pro/Elite awards

Class Awards
• Age Class participants are not eligible for Pro/Elite awards
• Top 5 men and women in the following age groups will receive an award:

Competition Classes for Males & Females
• 14 – 29
• 30 – 39
• 40 – 49
• 50 – 59
• 60 – 69
• 70 – 79
• 80+

Single Speed
Top 3 overall males and females receive an award.

Fat Bike
Top 3 overall males and females receive an award.

Tandem
Top 3 overall teams receive an award.

Non-Binary

Top 3 overall receive an award.

Para

Top 3 overall receive an award.

E-Bike 

Open category for participation, no awards. Pedal assist only.

Participant Award
Chequamegon MTB Festival T-shirt

2 complimentary beers 1 from Fulton 1 from Bent Paddle (must be 21 years of age)

Spectator Viewing Location: OO

View Map

Driving directions: Drive north of the start in Hayward on Highway 63. In Seeley, take County Highway OO east to the American Birkebeiner ski trail crossing. Park on the north side of the road in the large lot. You can watch or provide racer support on the north or south side of the trail. Exit the area to the west via County Highway OO back to Seeley.

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