Birkebeinerløpet

21 km, 14.06.25

Welcome to Birkebeinerløpet

Birkebeiner run 21 km, June 14th. 2025

Birkebeinerløpet is one of the most famous running races in Norway. The course is 21 km and takes you through various forest terrain.
Start at Birkebeineren Skistadion and finish at Håkons Hall, Lillehammer.
All competitors must have passed 16 years of age as per 31.12.2025.

Birkebeinerløpet is a part of Birkebeinertripplen

Race info

Birkebeinerløpet 21 km

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.
- Track profile Birkebeinerløpet 21 km
  Download
Track map Birkebeinerløpet

Split Calulator and GPX

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 Elite

Preliminary 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	<01:55:00
12.05	12	<02:00:00
12.10	13	<02:00:00
12.15	14	<02:00:00
12.20	15	<02:05:00
12.25	16	<02:05:00
12.30	17	<02:05:00
12.35	18	<02:15:00
12.40	19	>=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.

Information Birken run

Need to know in advance

Deadlines
June 12.

Change of wave in Birkebeinerløpet and HalvBirken run at My Page

June 13., 21:00

Online registration if still available spots

Ordering license at My Page

Booking of bus to start for UltraBirken and Birken fjellmaraton
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 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.
Deadline for booking at My Page : Friday June 13th 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 95.- 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 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 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.

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

Information Birken run

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 Bib handout

Saturday

Sjusjøen Ski Stadion

from 07.00 Bib handout
UltraBirken and Birken fjellmaraton

08.00 Start UltraBirken run

08.30 Start Birken fjellmaraton

Birkebeineren ski stadium, start

from 8.00 Bib 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 Bib 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 Bibs
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 BIB.
Stadium maps
- Stadium map start at Birkebeineren ski stadium
  Download
- Stadium map finish at Håkons Hall
  Download
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. 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)

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.