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THE ONLY WAY IS UP
Photo: Anne Jenny Dvergesdal
By Fredrik Ölmqvist
Uphill Running is on the rise in Norway!
From five races six years ago there are now more than 60 uphill races taking place in Norway in 2008.
Companies race each other, kids race each other, everybody races each other - and always, but always,
to the top. Trail writer Fredrik ?mqvist from neighboring - and much flatter - Sweden is naturally
jealous of the Norwegian mountain running scene.
A few years ago two companies were competing for an important account; to settle it they decided to
race each other up a mountain peak. The winner would get the contract.
This would never happen in Sweden (or anywhere else), but it did in Norway and there are reasons why.
First, a topographical map of Norway reveals only mountains, almost no flat areas whatsoever. For
people in this rugged and picturesque country, the dramatic scenery with vertical mountain slopes
rushing down to sea level and ice blue fjords is a part of life and sport. Traditionally ALL Norwegians
go cross-country skiing on the weekend. Its a family thing and part of the upbringing and heritage where
the appreciation of natural beauty goes hand in hand with an active lifestyle and outdoor sports.
In Summer, when the snow is gone the trails up the mountain peaks become accessible again. Mountain
hiking is another national outdoor activity, and since Norwegians are very competitive by character
there isnt a mountain peak without a speed ascent record (that some ber strong farmer made 50 years ago).
Another reason for the popularity of uphill racing, according to Christian Prestegaard, a driving
force behind uphill running in Norway, is that the finish line is always situated on the absolute
summit.
"We have a strong tradition of "topptur, e.g. going to the top" he explains. "
It goes back to 1890 when they built the Skåla tower at the top of Sk? 1848 m. Myself, I started
running to mountain peaks in the mid 60s as a 10 year old boy. To test themselves many famous
cross-country skiers used to run up to the peaks of Skåla (1848 m) and Fanaråken (2068 m) and
ordinary people took great interest in the ascent times of these noted athletes."
In the Norwegian style of mountain running, there is no downhill racing at all, thanks to the very
steep and rocky trails. Up is the only way to go, which makes sense once you have seen the very steep
Norwegian mountains. Uphill racing has become the true test of ability, and it is measured between
athletes from different sports and from all levels.
Photo: Oddny Ringheim
Indeed, the races are steadily growing more popular among amateurs of all ages. Even five-year-old
kids take part. With 55 races and a total of 17,000 entrants in 2007 and an estimated 20,000
participants and more than 60 races 2008 the boom still points upwards, says Prestegaard, who
recently was seated on the European Athletics Mountain Running Commission.
"Its the biggest thing that has happened to mainstream endurance sport in Norway since the
jogging boom in the 80s", he notes. "More and more companies take their employees on
regular ascents and participate in various uphill races for the motivation benefits."
Ever since the former orienteering champion Jon Tvedt beat the Norwegian top cross-country skiers
at Stoltzekleiven Opp in 2003, he has been the reigning uphill champion of Norway. But it was the
success of the female Norwegian mountain runners in 2007 that spurred the popularity and media
attention even more. Anita Håkenstad Evertsen and 3rd Kirsten Melkevik Otterbu took 1st and 3rd in the highly competitive European Mountain Running Championships in France; and Anita H?nstad Evertsen easily won the World Mountain Running Long Distance Championship at the Jungfrau Marathon in September.
Just two races - the Tryvann Opp and Skåla 1848m Rett Opp - had over 70 full pages devoted to them
in print media, and the uphill trend in general had a total of 150 pages in different Norwegian
newspapers and magazines 2007, along with TV coverage. The international uphill race "Tryvann Opp"
is located in Oslo, so now the national uphill running boom has entered the countrys first city.
Photo: Jan Ringheim
"It might be unique for Europe for a mountain race to be located in the capital city,"
says Prestegaard. (In reality, that situation is probably unique in the world.)
But the biggest uphill race in Norway is actually located in the city of Bergen on the west coast.
Started in 1979 the Stoltzekleiven Opp (www.stoltzen.no),
a 910 m long stairway race with a 313 meter ascent and 600 stairs, drew 2650 eager participants in
September last year. With annual exposure in national newsmedia the race, which nowadays attracts
big sponsors, has received awards for its marketing value for the region. Even though it is recognised
as one of the toughest things an athlete can undertake, ordinary people have realised that they can
do it too. This race, which also carries the name The Impossible Race, is a race for everyone these
days, not only top athletes and celebrities Sting, the singer did it in 2006 but school-kids, families,
heart disease patients, ordinary active people. It has become an event in which the residents of Bergen
take great pride. Bergen has become a place where running up a mountain not only is a possible thing,
it is a good thing. And that attitude is spreading all over the country.
Anna Pichrtova Comments:
The current World Mountain Running Champion - who was also the European Champion until finishing 2nd
to Anita Håkenstad Evertsen at the above mentioned European Championships last year - adds a few
thoughts of her own.
"They don't like to run downhill!" she notes of the Norwegians, with a smile. "Because
of their terrain; it's really technical, hard to run downhill. Except the crazy Italians; they'll run
anything!"
"They have really good races in Norway, with good money. But in Europe, we are used to driving
everywhere, and you can't drive to Norway, so not a lot of us go up there."
"The Skåla race is beautiful. It's really steep and technical (average grade of 22.5%!). It's more
of a scramble. You also have to carry a 2.5 kilo backpack the whole way."
For More Information (and amazing photos):
Big races:
Skaala 1848 m rett opp
www.skaala.no
Tryvann Opp
www.tryvannopp.no
Fanaraaken Opp
www.fanaraaken.com
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