All classes start at start shot.
Age by 31.12.2026
UngdomsBirken run
Approx. 5 km from Stampesletta to Håkons Hall, via the cross-country trails and Maihaugen.
5 km race for youth
UngdomsBirken Run is an approximately 5 km race for participants aged 12–16, from Stampesletta to the finish at Håkons Hall. Experience the unique Birken atmosphere and cross the same finish line as thousands of runners.
On Saturday 13 June 2026, UngdomsBirken Run is held for the 21st time. Here you’ll experience achievement, community and running joy – whether it’s your first race or you’ve participated before.
You are part of the LøpeBirken event this day, with spectators, atmosphere and the special feeling of finishing at Håkons Hall.
All participants aged 12–16 as of 31.12.2026 can take part.
Race info
UngdomsBirken run
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Track
Note: The total elevation gain may vary slightly depending on the GPS device, watch, or app used. The stated elevation gain is calculated based on our official GPX files and map data.
Course description for UngdomsBirken løpUngdomsBirken løp is approximately 5 km long and starts at the athletics track at Stampesletta, south of Kristins Hall.
The course heads south towards Birkebeineren Hotel before crossing Birkebeinervegen. It then continues along a gravel path across Finnabrua bridge. Shortly after the bridge, the course turns left and follows the Mesna River up to the floodlit trail.
The route then continues south along the floodlit trail above Maihaugen to Ringsvegutua, where it turns 180 degrees and follows the same route back. After a few hundred metres, the course joins the regular Birkebeinerløpet course.
From there, participants follow the same route all the way to the finish area outside Håkons Hall.
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Food- and drink stations
After 2,5 km it will be served water and lemonade.
At the finish line it will be served water, lemonade and sausages from Gilde.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
Starting time Class 16.00 Boys 16 years old 16.05 Boys 15 years old 16.10 Girls 16 years old 16.15 Girls 15 years old 16.20 Boys 14 years old 16.25 Girls 14 years old 16.30 Boys 13 years old 16.35 Boys 12 years old 16.40 Girls 13 years old 16.45 Girls 12 years old
Information Birken run
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
Bus directly from Oslo June 13th
We offer round-trip bus transport from Oslo Bus Terminal directly to the start at Birkebeineren Ski Stadium, Lillehammer for HalvBirken run, Birken AKTIV against cancer run 7,5 km and Birkebeinerløpet, and return from the finish area after the race.Departure from Oslo Bus Terminal at 07:00, Olavsgård at 07:25, and Quality Hotel Gardermoen (by Esso) at 07:45.
Estimated arrival Birkebeineren Ski Stadium between 09.35/09.45
Return from Sigrid Undsets veg by Håkons Hall (finish arena) at 17:00.Price: NOK 750,- round trip. Limited number of seats (booking via My Page).
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 bus for train at 08:51, 09.58 or 10:58 there will be free shuttle to the start at Birkebeineren ski stadium.Bus to start UltraBirken and Birken fjellmaraton NOK 90,-
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 12 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 18:00.
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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:
Information Birken run
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 against 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 run expected to finish
- 11.05 First competitor Birken AKTIV agains cancer run 7,5 km expected to finish
- 11.30 First competitor Birken fjellmaraton expected to finish
- 12.05 First competitor Birkebeinerløpet expected to finish
- 12.40 First competitor UltraBirken run expected to finish
- 16.00 Start UngdomsBirken run
- 16.20 First competitor UngdomsBirken run expected to finish
- 17.00 Start BarneBirken run
Ceremony, inside 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 run
- From 17.30: UngdomsBirken run
- From 17.00: 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 Birken AKTIV against cancer run 7,5km:
Birkebeineren ski stadium (Start arena) 08.00 - until last start - UltraBirken run and Birken fjellmaraton:
Sjusjøen ski stadium (Start arena) 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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Prizes
All participants recieve a finisher medal at the finish line.
Timing Diploma
A diploma stating your time can be picked up inside Haakons Hall on race day or downloaded from your My Page later on
Ceremony
The top 3 in each class receives their prizes from the ceremony stage inside 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 Birkebeinerløpet
Finish prizes for the winners
• 1. place: NOK 10.000,-
Birkebeiner ham and Brusletto knife
• 2. place: NOK 7.500,-
Brusletto knife
• 3. place: NOK 5.000,-
Brusletto knife -
Timing
Timing and start number
The start number must be attached to the front of the jersey with the provided safety pin.
The timing-chip is integrated in your start number.
Real time: Time begins to run when you cross the start mat
Start shot: Time begins to run at the time the starting shot is firedBirkebeinerløpet:
Women and men Elite: Start shot
From wave 1: Real timeHalvBirken run:
Wave 1: Start shot
From wave 2: Real timeBirken AKTIV against cancer-run 7,5 km:
Real timeUltraBirken run, Birken fjellmaraton og UngdomsBirken run:
Start shot