RACING
Birkenbeinerrennet:

This classic race is held in Norway every year in March in commemoration of  King Haakon IV. 

History:

Starting in 1202, a civil war erupted in Norway between the Birkebeiners and the Baglers.  These factions were fighting for the throne.   As the Birkebeiners were often in desperate straits, they used birch roots to secure their animal skins to their legs thereby resulting in the name Birchlegs or Birkebeiners.

On January 1, 1204, the Birkebeiner Chief, Haakon Hakonsson III died.  Shortly after his death, Haakon Hakonsson IV, his son, was born.  As the Bagler viewed the child as a possible leader, they sought to kill him.  On Christmas Day 1206, a small band of warriors started a journey with the child across the mountains from Lillehammer to Trondheim where they were seeking the protection of King Inge II.  When a fierce blizzard struck the group, most of the warriors remained in Lillehammer.  Only the two strongest warriors, Torstein Skevla and Skjervald Skrukka, continued on skis to Trondheim with the child.  Eventually, the child and the two warriors reached the safety of Trondheim.

After the death of King Inge II in 1217, the child became king.  Under King Haaken Hakonsson, the civil war ended and Norway prospered.

Since 1932, the Berkebeiner Race memorializes the epic journey of the two warriors carrying the future king to safety.  In commemoration of the warriors carrying the child each racer is required to carry a 3.5 kilogram sack.  This race starts in Rena and ends at the Birkebeineren Skistadion in Lillehammer.
 

Start of the Birkebeiner Race
           
 

BIRKEBEINERRENNET RACE INFORMATION

  
     
  The 2005 race is scheduled for March 19, 2005.  This race covers 54 kilometers and is a classic ski race.

People from 14 to over 80 participate in this race.  In 2004 the wining time was 2:45.55 hours.  As this is a popular race the number of entrants is limited.  In 2004, the number of participants was limited to 11,000.  As with most large races, the start is in waves with the elites starting first.  In order to qualify as an elite you must have completed the Birkebeinerrennet under 3:30.00 hours for males and 4:15.00 hours for females or have placed among the top 25% in a national championship during the last three years.

According to the race officials, entrants should be dressed and equipped for the possibility of severe mountain weather.  All entrants must carry a backpack of at least 3.5 kilograms throughout the race.  The pack should contain a windbreaker, spare gloves, food, drink, wax etc.  Backpacks will be checked. 

For further information click here.