Birken fjellmaraton
Marathon in true mountain terrain
On Saturday 13 June 2026, Birken Mountain Marathon is held for the 8th time. The race set a participation record last year and has established itself as a popular running experience in the mountains.
You run from Sjusjøen Cross-Country Arena to Lillehammer through varied and beautiful mountain terrain, before finishing at Håkons Hall.
All participants aged 18 and older as of 31.12.2026 can take part.
Birken fjellmaraton is a part of Birkebeinertrippelen
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 All drinks, food and nutrition that are distributed both along the way at the drinking stations and at the finish line are included in the registration fee
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 and classes
Need to know in advance
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Deadlines
June 10.
- Change of wave in Birkebeinerløpet and HalvBirken run at My Page
June 12., 20:00
- Online registration if still available spots
- Ordering license at My Page
- Booking of bus to start for UltraBirken and Birken fjellmaraton
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Bus
Preliminary information
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 NOK 70,-
There will be bus to UltraBirken and Birken fjellmaraton from Kleivbakken behind Håkons Hall to start at Sjusjøen at 06.30 and at 07.00.
Seats must be pre-booked via My Page by Friday, June 13 at 20:00.New! Direct bus from Oslo and Olavsgaard o the start in Lillehammer. Only NOK 750 round trip.
The bus departs from Oslo Bus terminal at 06:30 and from Olavsgaard at 06.50 before arriving at Birkebeiner Ski Stadium around 09.00.
Return from Håkons Hall at 16:30.
Departure times are coordinated with both the HalfBirken Run and the Birkebeiner Run.
Only round trip tickets available and seats must be pre-booked via My Page by Friday, June 13 at 20:00. -
Traffic and parking
Parking
There is parking available at both Birkebeineren Ski Stadium and the field above Håkons Hall. Parking will not be available at the regular parking areas right next to the halls at Stampesletta. Please follow the directions from our parking attendants, who will guide you to available parking at one of the designated locations. Remember to allow plenty of time before your start.Parking costs NOK 110.- Order in advance
Traffic
If you are arriving by private car, we recommend taking the Lillehammer North exit and following the signs to Olympiaparken. Please note that Sigrid Undsets veg is closed from the intersection at Nordsetervegen (by Kiwi) to Ivar Kleivens veg due to municipal construction work (follow signs for Birken parking).To ensure smooth traffic flow, there will be some one-way driving regulations and marked driving patterns — we encourage everyone to follow these instructions.
Road closures on race day
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Sjøsetervegen will be closed from Birkebeineren Ski Stadium to where the Birkebeiner trail crosses the road, from 09:00 to 16:00.
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Furubakken and Nybuvegen will be closed intermittently where the course crosses the road, between 10:00 and 16:30.
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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 AKTIV against cancer run 7,5km: 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 run. 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.Shoes:
Maximum sole thickness for shoes:
Trail running: 20 mm spiked shoes or 40 mm non-spike shoes.
Exeption: Birken fjellmaraton and UltraBirken løp
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:
- GPX filer LøpeBirken
On race day
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What happens when ?
Thursday
- 15.00-21.00 Sport 1 market
Friday
Håkons Hall, Lillehammer- 10.00 - 21.00 Sport 1 market
- 10.00 - 21.00 Race office and start number handout
Saturday
Sjusjøen Ski Stadion
- from 07.00 start number handout
UltraBirken and Birken fjellmaraton - 08.00 Start UltraBirken run
- 08.30 Start Birken fjellmaraton
Birkebeineren ski stadium, start
- from 8.00 Start number handout
HalvBirken run, Birken AKTIV agains cancer-run 7,5 km and Birkebeinerløpet - 10.00 Start HalvBirken løp
- 10.30 Start Birken AKTIV against cancer-run 7,5km
- 11.00 Start Birkebeinerløpet
Haakons Hall, Lillehammer
- 10.00-18.00 Sport 1 market
- 10.00-18.00 Start number handout UngdomsBirken run and BarneBirken,
Race Office, Diplomas and prizes - 10.00-18.00 showers and wardrobe
- 10.40 First competitor HalvBirken expected to finish
- 11.00 First competitor Birken AKTIV agains cancer run 7,5 km expected to finish
- 11.50 First competitor Birken fjellmaraton expected to finish
- 12.05 First competitor Birkebeinerløpet expected to finish
- 12.40 First competitor UltraBirken expected to finish
- 15.00 Start UngdomsBirken run
- 15.20 First competitor UngdomsBirken expected to finish
- 16.00 Start BarneBirken run
Ceremony, Håkons Hall
- From 12.00: HalvBirken run
- From 12.30: Birken AKTIV against cancer run 7,5km and Birken fjellmaraton
- From 13.00: Birkebeinerløpet
- From 14.00: UltraBirken løp
- From 16.30: UngdomsBirken løp
- From 16.00: Birkebeinerløpet (late arrivals)
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Distribution of start number's
Friday
- All races:
Haakons Hall kl. 10.00 – 21.00
Saturday
- UngdomsBirken and BarneBirken run:
Håkons Hall 10.00-14.30 - Birkebeinerløpet 21, HalvBirken run 12 and AKTIV against cancer 7,5km:
Birkebeineren ski stadium (Start) 08.00 - until last start - 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 start number. - 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 Birken's prize collection (Magnor Glassverk).Prizes Birkebeiner Medal
1. medal: Silver medal (SMK)
5. medal: Gold medal (GMK)
10. medal: Cover plate (10MK)
15. medal: Bronze medal (15MK)
20. medal: Cover plate (20MK)
25. medal: Bronze medal (25MK)Men and Women Elite
Finish prizes for the winners
• 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.
Real time: The start time starts when crossing the start mat for all waves
Start shot: The start time is registered by the start shotBirkebeinerløpet:
Women and men Elite: Start shot
From wave 1: Real timeHalvBirken løp:
Wave 1: Start shot
From wave 2: Real timeBirken Aktiv mot kreft-løpet 7,5 km:
Real timeUltraBirken, Birken fjellmaraton og UngdomsBirken:
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 90559003We expect that everyone has passed the finish line at 18.00.