HalvBirken løp

12 km, 13.06.26

12 km run in true Birken terrain

HalvBirken Run is a 12 km trail race from Birkebeineren Ski Stadium to the finish at Håkons Hall in Lillehammer. Experience true Birken atmosphere with varied terrain and scenic surroundings.

On Saturday 13 June 2026, HalvBirken Run is held for the 19th time. A race that combines running joy, challenge and a sense of achievement in true Birken terrain.

You run through varied terrain on trails, dirt roads and former Olympic cross-country tracks, before finishing at Håkons Hall.

All participants aged 16 and older as of 31.12.2026 can take part with timing. Participants aged 13–15 can take part without timing.

Race info

HalvBirken run 12 km

Track
Elevation Gain: 139 meters
Elevation Loss: 371 meters

The course will be marked and open for inspection around May 20.

Start to First Aid Station (6 km)
The race starts at Birkebeineren Ski Stadium (525 meters above sea level), the same location as the Birkebeinerløpet. The first section crosses Sjøseterveien and includes a 2 km loop through the Olympic and World Cup ski trails. Terrain varies from grassy trails to wide ski tracks, with some steep climbs and descents. Be cautious in wet conditions.

After 2 km, the course continues on a tractor road past Abbortjern, with rocky and root-filled terrain. At 4.14 km, you reach VIP-veien and the first drink station offering water and Maxim sports drink. The course then follows VIP-veien briefly before turning into a wooded area with uneven terrain, continues onto a gravel road, and crosses a canal.

From there, the course follows a tractor road for about 300 meters, takes a sharp left turn, and continues on a gravel path. After crossing VIP-veien again, the route leads along an easy-flowing trail to the aid station at Kroken (6 km).

From Kroken to the Finish Line (6 km)
After the Kroken station, the course continues on a mostly flat trail with some stones and minor wet sections. You then enter the Maihaugen Trail, which includes 1.5 km of rolling terrain, short steep hills, and a few muddy patches.

The course follows the Tverrløypa trail behind Maihaugen, which is flat and easy to run. It continues to the top of Kleivbakken, crossing two local roads in Nybu—please watch for traffic. From the top, the route descends diagonally toward the finish line at Håkons Hall.

Track profile HalvBirken run 12km
- Track profile HalvBirken løp 12 km
  Download
Track map HalvBirken run
Food- and drink stations

The first drink station is located at Vipveien (4.14 km), offering water and gluten-free Maxim sports drink. At Kroken, 6 km into the race, you’ll also find Pepsi Cola, bananas, and lefse. At the finish line, participants are served water, non-alcoholic malt beverage (Vørterøl), Red Bull, Maarud potato chips®, and sausages from Gilde.

In warm weather, an extra water station will be set up approximately 2 km before the finish.

If you require special dietary options (e.g., gluten-free), we recommend bringing your own food. Please note that the Maxim drink is gluten-free.

We encourage all participants to stay well hydrated before and during the race.

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 is strictly prohibited. Please use the trash bins provided at each station and help us keep the course clean.

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.
16-17, 18-19 years, 20-24 yrs, 25-29 years, 30-34 years 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 to see. You will be at the result list in alpahbetical order as a finisher.

Age as per 31.12.2026

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	<01:15:00
10.15	4	<01:15:00
10.20	5	<01:30:00
10.25	6	<01:30:00
10.30	7	<01:30:00
10.35	8	>=01:30:00

Information Birken run restival

Need to know in advance

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
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

Sjøsetervegen will be closed from Birkebeineren Ski Stadium to where the Birkebeiner trail crosses the road, from 09:00 to 16:00.

Furubakken and Nybuvegen will be closed intermittently where the course crosses the road, between 10:00 and 16:30.
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 race

No 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
Accommodation
Please find information regarding accommodation in Lillehammer here:

Sportellet Birkebeineren stadion

Visit Lillehammer

Scandic Victoria Lillehammer
GPX filer LøpeBirken

Information Birken run restival

On race day

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)
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.
Stadium maps
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 shot

Birkebeinerløpet:
Women and men Elite: Start shot
From wave 1: Real time

HalvBirken løp:
Wave 1: Start shot
From wave 2: Real time

Birken Aktiv mot kreft-løpet 7,5 km:
Real time

UltraBirken, 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 90559003

We expect that everyone has passed the finish line at 18.00.