Need to know in advance
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Deadlines
June 12.
- Change of wave in Birkebeinerløpet and HalvBirken run at My Page
June 13., 21:00
- Online registration
- Ordering license at My Page
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Bus
Free shuttle bus to start
There will be free shuttle between the finish area at Håkons Hall and the start area at Birkebeineren ski stadium Saturday 08.00-18.00. The ride takes approximately 10 minutes from Håkons Hall to Birkebeineren ski stadium.
Free shuttle bus from Lillehammer train station to start
Are you arriving by train at 09:41 or 10:41 there will be free shuttle to the start at Birkebeineren ski stadium.Bus to start UltraBirken and Birken fjellmaraton
There will be bus to UltraBirken and Birken fjellmaraton from Kleivbakken behind Håkons Hall to start at Sjusjøen at preliminary departure times 06.30 and at 07.00.
Booking will open during spring 2025. -
Traffic and parking
Parking
Parking will be available at Birkebeineren ski stadium and on the field above Håkons Hall. There will be no opportunity to park in the ordinary car parks right next to the halls at Stampesletta Follow directions from our volunteers.
Parking: NOK 95,- Order in advanceRoads that will be closed on race day
- Sjøsetervegen will be closed from Birkebeiner Skistadion to Sagmyra between 09.00-16.00
- Furubakken and Nybuvegen is closed between 10.00-16.30. Furubakken will be periodically closed.
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License
All participants, including foreigners, must have a valid license to enter Norwegian running events.
All participants age 13-79 must have a valid license to start in running events in Norway. If you have a valid license through your team, bring your license card when you retrieve your BIB.
Purchase
The license is not included in the entry fee. It can be purchased when signing up, through your My Page, or at the race office when retrieving your BIB.
Exception: Birken 5KM run: License is included in the sign up fee.
Injuries during the race
If you are injured during one of the Birkebeiner events, please contact the insurance company. If you have any questions please call "Idrettens skadetelefon" +4798702033 -
Race rules
All competitors need a license.
Backpack is mandatory only for the UltraBirken race
For safety reasons, there are special rules for clothing and equipment that you must bring when participating in UltraBirken: Food, drink, extra clothing, reflective vest, mobile phone.Use of poles
The use of poles is only permitted in the UltraBirken løp. The poles must be with you during the entire race, from start to finish. After the food station Nordseter/Sjusjøvegen, where you meet the ordinary Birkebeiner track for approx. 40 km, the poles must be put in your backpack until the finish line.
No audio
For your safety it is not allowd to use any form of audio during the raceNo pets: It is not allowed to bring your pets into the race track.
Timekeeping / Bib
BIB must be visible at all times during the race. For your own safety, it is not permitted to use another participant's BIB.
Identification must be provided at random checks.
Your bib is also your timer. A chip on the back of the bib records the start time, intermediate time and time at the finish line.
Complaints
Against race conditions: 30 minutes after crossing the finish line.
Towards the results list: 30 minutes after the list and results are published.
The complaint must be submitted in writing with a fee of NOK 100 at the Race Office in Håkons Hall.
Complaints will be heard by the jury.Environment
Littering along the route is not allowed. Please bring your own litter to the nearest food station or use the drop zones along the course. Littering along the course can be penalized with 15 minutes added to your time.
Jury
Race leader, assistant race leader, timing manager and medical manager.Please read the registration conditions
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Accommodation
Please find information regarding accommodation in Lillehammer here:
On race day
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What happens when ?
Thursday
- 15.00-21.00 Sport 1 marked
Friday
Håkons Hall, Lillehammer- 10.00 - 21.00 Sport 1 marked
- 10.00 - 21.00 Race offic and Bib distribution
Saturday
Sjusjøen Ski Stadion
- from 07.00 Distribution Bibs for
UltraBirken and Birken fjellmaraton - 08.00 Start UltraBirken run
- 08.30 Start Birken fjellmaraton
Birkebeineren ski stadium, start
- from 8.00 Distribution of Bibs
HalvBirken løp and Birkebeinerløpet - 10.00 Start HalvBirken løp
- 11.00 Start Birkebeinerløpet
Haakons Hall, Lillehammer
- 10.00-18.00 Sport 1 market
- 10.00-18.00 Distribution of Bibs (Birken 5km, UngdomsBirken og BarneBirken), Race Office, Diplomas and prizes
- 13.00 Start Birken 5 km
- 14.00 Start UngdomsBirken løp
- 15.00 Start BarneBirken løp
Ceremony, Håkons Hall
- From 12.00: HalvBirken
- From 13.00: Birkebeinerløpet and Birken fjellmaraton
- From 14.00: UltraBirken løp and Birken 5 km
- From 15.30: UngdomsBirken løp
- From 16.00: rest Birkebeinerløpet
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Distribution of Bibs
Friday
- All races:
Haakons Hall kl. 10.00 – 21.00
Saturday
- Birken 5 km, UngdomsBirken and BarneBirken run:
Håkons Hall 10.00-14.30 - Birkebeinerløpet 21 and HalvBirken run 12:
Birkebeineren ski stadium (Start) 08.00 - 12.30 - UltraBirken run and Birken fjellmaraton:
Sjusjøen ski stadium 07.00 - 08.30
Starting card
Your starting card is available for download from your My Page or the Birken app from approximately 1-2 weeks prior to the race. This is your confirmation of participation.The starting card must be shown to retrieve your BIB. - All races:
- Stadium maps
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Luggage
Luggage delivered in the starting area must be retrieved at Håkons Hall on race day.
Label/transport
Remember to use the labels inckuded in your race package, and then bring your luggage to the drop zone.
Birken holds no liability for lost/ruined luggage during transport or storage.UltraBirken run and Birken fjellmaraton
Luggage drop of is close to start.
Drop zones for items needed during the race:
UltraBirken run: Pellestova and Nordsetervegen/Sjusjøvegen.
Birken fjellmaraton: Nordsetervegen/Sjusjøvegen. -
Prizes
Prizes
All participants recieve a finisher medal at the finish line.
A diploma stating your time is also available at your My Page or inside Håkons Hall at the race day.
Ceremony
The top three contestants in each class recieves their prizes from the stage outside Håkons Hall.
Distribution of all other prizes is inside Håkons Hall on race day.
We do not send prizes or medals in the mail, so please remember to retrieve yours inside Håkons Hall before leaving the area.
Birkebeinerløpet 21 km
Participated 10 and 20 times
All participants finishing the Birkebeinerløpet 10 and 20 times, recieves a plate from Hadeland Glassverk. The plate is distributed inside Håkons Hall.
Prizes Birkebeiner Medal
1. medal - SMK (Silver medal)
5. medal - GMK (Gold medal)
10. medal - SST (Cover plate)
20. medal - GST (Cover plate)Finish prizes for the winners in both Men and Women Elite
• 1. place: NOK 10.000,-
• 2. place: NOK 7.500,-
• 3. place: NOK 5.000,-Birkebeiner ham for winner in women and men elite
Brusletto knife for 1., 2. and 3. in women and men elite -
Timing
Timing / BIB
The BIB must be fastened to your chest ( shirt) with safety pins.
The timing-chip is integrated in your BIB.
Time keeping for Birkebeinerløpet and HalvBirken run:
Real-time: The start time starts when crossing the start mat for all waves except Men and Women Elite in Birkebeinerløpet and wave 1 in HalvBirken run.Time-keeping for UltraBirken, Birken fjellmarathon, Birken 5km and UngdomsBirken:
Start shot: The start time is registered by the start shot. -
Cut Off times
Cut off times
Sjøsetervegen 16.00. Transportation to Håkons Hall: 16.30
If you have to abandone the race - please notify one of our volunteers.
Transportation to the finish will be organized from : Sjøsetervegen, Mesnasaga and Krorken.In addition for UltraBirken and Birken fjellmaraton:
UltraBirken: Pellestova 12.30. Transportation to Håkons Hall: 13.00
UltraBirken and Birken fjellmaraton: Nordseter / Sjusjøvegen 14.30. Transportation to Håkons Hall: 14.30
If you must abandon the race, please inform us at +47 911 08 707We expect that everyone has passed the finish line at 18.00.
Birkebeinerløpet 21 km
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Track
21 km terrain run. Start at Birkebeineren ski stadium and finish at Håkons Hall.
Total elevation: 337
Total downhill: 569
Start - Sjøseterlia 6 km
Start at Birkebeineren Ski stadium, Lillehammer 525 meter above sea level. From start to the first food - and drink station at 6 km in Sjøseterlia, you are running in the Olympic XC tracks form 1994. the track will vary between gravel, forest track and grass. This part has some steep downhills.
Sjøseterlia - Mesnasaga 6 - 9,5 km
The track is mostly grass. The track from Sagamyra to Myggbukta is a MTB track (dirt and gravel). From Myggbukta to Mesnasaga appr. 1 km at forest road.
Mesnasaga - Kroken 10 - 14 km
From Mesnasaga the track goes over the bridge over Mesnaelva and then on to Vårsætervegen. 1,5 km before Kroken the track wil leave Vårsætervegen and onto the track for Ingalåmi.
Kroken - mål ved Håkons Hall 14 - 21 km
Be aware of rocks and som wet spots in the track. The track takes you throug 1,5 km in the Maihaugen track to the top of Kleivbakken - around Nybu there may be crossing traffic on the road.
From the top of Kleivbakken the track takes you down to the finish at Håkons Hall. -
Food- and drink stations
Place Km Service Start Refill Maxim sports drink and water Sjøsæterlia 6 km Maxim sports drink, water and bananas Mesnasaga 10 km Maxim sports drink, water, bananas and pastry Kroken 15 km Maxim sports drink, water, Pepsi Cola, bananas and pastry Finish 21 km Water, Vørterøl, Red Bull, Maarud Potetgull® (crisps) and Gilde sausage Keep Birken clean
Littering along the route is not allowed, and will be punished with 15 minutes added to your time. Please bring your litter it to the nearest food station, or use the drop zones along the course -
Starting times, seeding and classes
Birkebeinerløpet has seeded wave start and free seeding.
You choose wave when entering the race. You can change wave at your My Page if available spots until June 13th.Final waves and starting times will be given 1-2 weeks prior the race.
Classes
- Age classes for women and men; 16-19 yrs, 20-24 yrs, 25-29 yrs, 30-34 yrs and so on.
- Elite classes for women and men
- Para women and men (FH)
- Trim uten tid - Your time and result will not be available for you or anyone else to see. You will be at the result list in alpahbetical order as a finisher.
Age as per 31.12.2025
All waves start at real time, except Men and Women ElitePreliminary Starting time Preliminary wave estimated finish time 11.00 Men Elite <01:22:00 11.05 Women Elite <01:40:00 11.10 1 <01:28:00 11.15 2 <01:32:00 11.20 3 <01:35:00 11.25 4 <01:38:00 11.30 5 <01:40:00 11.35 6 <01:42:00 11.40 7 <01:45:00 11.45 8 <01:48:00 11.50 9 <01:50:00 11.55 10 <01:55:00 12.00 11 <02:00:00 12.05 12 <02:00:00 12.10 13 <02:05:00 12.15 14 <02:05:00 12.20 15 <02:15:00 12.25 16 >=02:15:00 -
Elite classes
Birkebeinerløpet has elite classes for men and women.
If you want to change class from your age class to elit class, pleas contact us at info@birkebeiner.no.
Note
Competitors in the elite classes no longer receives placement in their age classes - only in the elite classes. -
Birkebeiner Medal (merket)
Birkebeiner Medal (merket) /max time
To recieve the Birkebeiner Medal (merket) there is a time limit based on the average time of the top 5 competitors plus 25%, worked out separately for each class in Birkebeinerløpet 21 km.
HalvBirken løp 12 km
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Track
HalvBirken run is 12 km start and finish at Birkebeineren Ski Stadium (525 masl)
The track is in forrest terrain consisting of both gritt, forrest roads, paths and grassTrack profile HalvBirken run 12km
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Food- and drink stations
Drink and food station after 6 km (Kroken). Maxim sports drink, water, Pepsi Cola, bananas and traditional pastry.
After crossing the finish line you will be served water, Red Bull, Maarud® potato crisps and sausage from Gilde.
Remember to drink enough water both prior to and during the race. -
Starting times, seeding and classes
HalvBirken run has seeded wave start and free seeding.
You choose wave when entering the race. You can change wave at your My Page if avalable spots until June 13th.Classes
- Age classes for women and men.
16-19 yrs, 20-29 yrs, 30-39 yrs and so on. - Para classes for women and men FH
- Trim uten tid - Your time and result will not be available for you or anyone else to see. You will be at the result list in alpahbetical order as a finisher.
Age as per 31.12.2025
All waves start at real time , except wave 1 that start at start shot.Preliminary Starting time Preliminary Wave estimated finish time 10.00 1 <01:05:00 10.05 2 <01:15:00 10.10 3 <01:30:00 10.15 4 >=01:30:00 - Age classes for women and men.
UltraBirken run 60 km
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Track
Run in a beautiful mountain terrain
Start at Sjusjøen ski stadium and finish outside Håkons Hall, Lillehammer.
The track takes you over Sjusjøfjellet to Lunkefjell after 7 km. After 7 km you run on the road to Norseter for 2,5 km. Then the track takes you towards Melsjøen and Reina. From Reina you run over Krigsfjell and Hitfjell before you reach Pellestova.
From Pellestove you go to Nevefjell - the highest point in the track 1072 meters above sea level. Then the track takes you back towards Nordseter -on the south side of Nevelvannet. The track will then take you back to Lunkefjell. Before you reach the cabins at Sjusjøen there will be a steep rocky downhill. Slow down.Then the track will take you down to the bottom of Birkebeinerbakken, Nevla and Sjøseterveien.
When it is 14 km left to the finsih you will run on the same track as Birkebeinerløpet 21
Altimeter
Total climb 731 metres
A total of 1,281 meters down. -
Food- and drink stations
Place Km Service Start Refill Maxim sports drink and water Nevelvatnet 7 Maxim sports drink, water, bananas and pastry Midtbekken 17 Maxim sports drink, water and bananas Pellestova 25 Maxim sports drink, water, bananas, pastry, slice of bread with toppings, Gilde Birkebeiner ham Nevelvatnet 32 Maxim sports drink, water, bananas and pastry Nordseter/Sjusjøvegen 39 Maxim sports drink, water, bananas and pastry Mesnasaga 49 Maxim sports drink, water, Pepsi Cola, bananas and pastry Kroken 54 Maxim sports drink, water, Pepsi Cola, bananas and pastry Finish 60 Water, Vørterøl (non alcoholic beer) Red Bull, Maarud Potetgull® (crisps) and Gilde sausage -
Starting times and classes
Preliminary starting time time
Wave 1: 08.00
Wave 2: 08.10
Wave 3: 08.20
Wave 4: 08.30
Classes
UltraBirken mountain run has classes for females and men
F/M 16-19, F/M 20-29, F/M 30-39 F/M 40-49, F/M 50-59, F/M 60-69, F/M 70-79.
Age as per 31.12.2025
Birken fjellmaraton 42 km
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Track
Track profile Birken fjellmaraton
Track map Birken fjellmaraton
The track will be along the same route as the UltraBirken run track, from Sjusjøen, across Lunkefjell, round Nevelvatnet, via Nevelfjell and Mesnasaga before finishing by Håkons Hall
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Food- and drink stations
Place Km Service Start - Sjusjøen Refill Maxim sports drink and water Nevelvatnet 6,5/15 Maxim sports drink, water, bananas and pastry Nordseter/Sjusjøvegen 21 Maxim sports drink, water, bananas and pastry Mesnasaga 31 Maxim sports drink, water, Pepsi Cola, bananas and pastry Kroken 36 Maxim sports drink, water, Pepsi Cola, bananas and pastry Finish 42 Water, Red Bull, Maarud Potetgull® (crisps) and Gilde sausage -
Starting times and classes
AKTIV against cancer 7,5 km
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Track
Start at Birkebeineren Ski Stadium and finish at Håkons Hall
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Food- and drink stations
In addition to the drink and food station at finish, there will also be a drink station along the track after appr. 2,5 km.
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Starting times and classes
Starting time
Start at 13.00
There is one class for men and one for women.
Birken 5KM: from the age of 16 years old you can choose between timing or no timing.Competitors fraom 10-15 years old can particiate without timing.
Age by 31.12.2025.
UngdomsBirken run 7,5 km (youth)
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Track
Start at Birkebeineren Ski Stadium and finish at Håkons Hall.
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Food- and drink stations
After 2,5 km it will be served water, juice and Maxim sports drink.
At the finish line it will be served water, juice, Maarud Potetgull® (poteto chips) and sausages from Gilde. -
Starting times and classes
All classes start at start shot.
Age by 31.12.2025Starting time Class 14.00 Boys 16 years old 14.05 Boys 15 years old 14.15 Girls 16 years old 14.15 Girls 15 years old 14.20 Boys 14 years old 14.25 Girls 14 years old 14.30 Boys 13 years old 14.35 Boys 12 years old 14.40 Girls 13 years old 14.45 Girls 12 years old
BarneBirken run (kids)
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Entry BarneBirken run
Online registration open until Thursday June 12th.
Registration on siteFriday June 13th:
- Håkons Hall: 10.00-21.00
Saturday June 14th
- Håkons Hall: 10.00-12.00
- Stampesletta - starting area outside: 12.00 - until start
Entry fee: NOK 125,-
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Track
Start and finish at Håkons Hall.
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Food- and drink stations
At the finish line:
water, juice, chips and Gilde sausage
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Starting times and classes
Preliminary Starting times
- 15:00 9-11 years old 1,7 km
- 15:10 6-8 years old 850 m
- 15.20 3-5 yeats old 650 m
- 15:30 2 years old and younger 350 m
Age as per 31.12.25
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Prizes
All participants recieve a competitors pin at the finish line and a diploma