Birkebeiner Rennet

Lillehammer is presenting it self in very welcoming way this weekend: Sunshine, mild temperatures but enough snow. Slight snowfalls over night let Lillehammer shine as winter wonder land. It is time to celebrate the comeback of the Birkebeinerrennet like we know it: Thousands of skiers from Norway but also from all around the world skiing together over the mountains between Rena and Lillehammmer.

More than 1000 foreign skiers are registered for the main event, Birkebeinerrennet tomorrow Saturday. Nordic citizens are on the top of the country list with Denmark, Sweden and Finland passing 150 participants. Germany is also passing 100 and is followed by USA and Czech Republic, Switzerland, Italia, Island, France and Great Britain complete this picture of a popular international ski race. Also at today’s SkateBirken the interest from foreign skiers was increasing.

Tomorrow many famous names will stand on the starting line. The worldcup final was canceled, so no more races for elite skiers. This is the reason, why many have singed up for the Birken. Among them Therese Johaug, Martin Nyenget, Didrik Toenseth, Brennan Rosie and many others. The elite start is at 07:45 for the men and 8:00 for the ladies.

What makes the Birkebeinerrennet special

The 54 km, classic technique, race crosses two mountains, and the track leads through breathtaking sceneries.
It was in this landscape that the king’s son was brought to safety in the 13th century. Birkebeinerrennet was introduced in 1932 to honor the fraction Birkebeinerne, who saved the heir by escaping their enemy by skiing across the mountains. Since then, the trip over the mountains has challenged hundreds of thousands of Norwegians and internationals. In homage to the Birkebeiner warriors, every skier has to carry a 3,5kg-backbag, representing the weight of the newborn king.

The track is also quite demanding: It starts with a long 20 km climb to Raudfjellet. After a short flat section to take some breath, the second challenging uphill awaits the skiers (from km 28). But when the participants have reachted Sjusoen, the top, after 40 km, the hardest part is done: The remaining 14 km to the finish in the Olympic Statium Lillehammer, are a downhill section with 400 meters negative elevation.