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{{about|the Norwegian cross-country ski race|the American equivalent|American Birkebeiner}}
{{Short description|Norwegian cross-country ski marathon}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2024}}
{{about|the Norwegian cross-country ski race|the American equivalent|American Birkebeiner|the Canadian equivalent|Canadian Birkebeiner}}
{{Infobox recurring event
{{Infobox recurring event
| name = Birkebeinerrennet
| name = Birkebeinerrennet
| native_name =
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
| native_name_lang = Norwegian
| logo =
| logo =
| logo_caption =
| logo_caption =
| image = Birken02.jpg
| image = Birken02.jpg
| caption = Birkebeinerrennet 2010
| caption = Birkebeinerrennet 2010
| status = active
| status = active
| genre = sporting event
| genre = sporting event
| date = March
| date = Third Saturday in March
| begins =
| begins =
| ends =
| ends =
| frequency = annual
| frequency = annual
| venue =
| location = [[Rena, Norway|Rena]]–[[Lillehammer]]
| venue =
| location =
| coordinates =
| country = [[Norway]]
| coordinates =
| years_active = {{age|1932|range=no}}
| country = [[Norway]]
| first = {{Start date|1932|df=y}} (men)<br />{{Start date|1976|df=y}} (women)
| years_active =
| first = {{Start date|1932|df=y}} (men)<br/>{{Start date|1976|df=y}} (women)
| founder_name =
| founder_name =
| last =
| prev =
| prev =
| next =
| next =
| participants =
| participants =
| attendance =
| attendance =
| area =
| area =
| budget =
| budget =
| activity =
| activity = [[Cross-country skiing (sport)|Cross-country skiing]]
| patron =
| patron =
| organised =
| organised =
| filing =
| filing =
| people =
| people =
| member =
| member =
| sponsor = {{hlist|[[Sport1 (store)|Sport1]] | [[Ssangyong Motor|Ssangyong]] | [[Swix]]}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Samarbeidspartnere |trans-title=Sponsors |url=https://birkebeiner.no/no/om-oss/samarbeidspartnere |website=birkebeiner.no/no/ski |publisher=Birken |accessdate=11 January 2019}}</ref>
| sponsor =
| website =
| website =
| footnotes =
| footnotes =
}}
}}
'''Birkebeinerrennet''' (lit. The [[Birkebeiner]] race) is a long-distance [[Cross-country skiing|cross-country]] [[ski marathon]] held annually in [[Norway]]. It debuted in 1932 and has been a part of [[Worldloppet Ski Federation|Worldloppet]] as long as Worldloppet has been around.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.worldloppet.com/birkebeinerrennet.php|title=Birkebeinerrennet|publisher=Worldloppet|accessdate=4 March 2015}}</ref>


'''Birkebeinerrennet''' (lit. The [[Birkebeiner]] race) is a long-distance [[Cross-country skiing (sport)|cross-country]] [[ski marathon]] held annually in [[Norway]]. It debuted in 1932 and has been a part of [[Worldloppet Ski Federation|Worldloppet]] since Worldloppet's inception in 1979.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.worldloppet.com/birkebeinerrennet.php |title=Birkebeinerrennet |publisher=Worldloppet |accessdate=4 March 2015}}</ref>
The Birkebeinerrennet is one of three races held under the Birkebeiner moniker, the other two being [[Birkebeinerrittet]] (bicycling) and [[Birkebeinerløpet]] (cross-country running).


The Birkebeinerrennet is one of three races held under the Birkebeiner moniker, the other two being [[Birkebeinerrittet]] (bicycling) and {{ill|Birkebeinerløpet|no}} (cross-country running).
Researchers at the Manchester Metropolitan University found that the metabolic cost for modern ski models is about 2.5 J/kg*m as compared to about 5 J/kg*m for ski models dated 542 AD. They also estimated maximum cross country speed for the 542 AD ski to 5&nbsp;m/s, compared to about 12&nbsp;m/s for modern cross country skis; for long distance skiing (several hours) results were 3 and 7&nbsp;m/s respectively. This corresponds to about 5 hours for the original 1206 AD [[Birkebeiner]] flight.<ref name=formenti>Formenti, Federico et al. (2005): [http://rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/272/1572/1561.full Human locomotion on snow: Determinants of economy and speed of skiing across the ages] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304051055/http://rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/272/1572/1561.full |date=March 4, 2016 }}, ''Proceedings of the Royal Society B'', vol. 272 no. 1572, 1561-1569 .</ref>


The race was inspired by a notable journey made by the [[Birkebeiner]] loyalists Torstein Skevla and Skjervald Skrukka to save the infant heir to the [[List of Norwegian monarchs|Norwegian throne]], [[Håkon Håkonsson]], in the winter of 1206.
==Race==
The race starts at [[Rena, Norway|Rena]] and ends at [[Lillehammer]], a distance of 54&nbsp;km. The number of participants has been steadily increasing each year, and for the 2011 race, the limit was set at 16,000.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fiscrosscountry.com/news/birkebeinerrennet-sold-out-18-minutes,1498.html |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2011-03-19 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110123185209/http://www.fiscrosscountry.com:80/news/birkebeinerrennet-sold-out-18-minutes,1498.html |archivedate=2011-01-23 |df= }}</ref>


Researchers at the Manchester Metropolitan University found that the metabolic cost for modern ski models is about 2.5 J/kg*m as compared to about 5 J/kg*m for ski models dated 542 AD. They also estimated maximum cross country speed for the 542 AD ski to 5&nbsp;m/s, compared to about 12&nbsp;m/s for modern cross country skis; for long distance skiing (several hours) results were 3 and 7&nbsp;m/s respectively. This corresponds to about 5 hours for the original 1206 AD [[Birkebeiner]] flight.<ref name=formenti>Formenti, Federico et al. (2005): [http://rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/272/1572/1561.full Human locomotion on snow: Determinants of economy and speed of skiing across the ages] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304051055/http://rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/272/1572/1561.full |date=4 March 2016 }}, ''Proceedings of the Royal Society B'', vol. 272 no. 1572, 1561–1569 .</ref>
==History==

== Race ==
The race starts at [[Rena, Norway|Rena]] and ends at [[Lillehammer]], a distance of {{convert|54|km|mi}}. The number of participants has been steadily increasing each year, and for the 2011 race, the limit was set at 16,000.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fiscrosscountry.com/news/birkebeinerrennet-sold-out-18-minutes,1498.html |title=Viessmann FIS World Cup Cross-Country – Birkebeinerrennet sold out in 18 minutes |accessdate=19 March 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110123185209/http://www.fiscrosscountry.com/news/birkebeinerrennet-sold-out-18-minutes%2C1498.html |archivedate=23 January 2011}}</ref>

The following aid stations are present:
* Skramstadsetra, 9 km
* Dambua, 15&nbsp;km
* Kvarstad, 28&nbsp;km
* Midtfjellet, 35&nbsp;km
* Sjusjøen, 40&nbsp;km

== History ==
=== Origin ===
[[File:Birkebeinerne på Ski over Fjeldet med Kongsbarnet.jpg|thumb|Skiing Birchlegs Crossing the Mountain with the Royal Child, painted by [[Knud Bergslien]]. Painting located at The Ski Museum. Holmenkollen, Oslo, Norway.]]
[[File:Birkebeinerne på Ski over Fjeldet med Kongsbarnet.jpg|thumb|Skiing Birchlegs Crossing the Mountain with the Royal Child, painted by [[Knud Bergslien]]. Painting located at The Ski Museum. Holmenkollen, Oslo, Norway.]]
The Birkebeinerrennet run has been held since 1932, and commemorates a trip made by the [[Birkebeiner|Birkebeiner loyalists]] to save the infant pretender to the [[List of Norwegian monarchs|Norwegian throne]], [[Håkon Håkonsson]], in 1206. All participants carry a backpack weighing at least 3.5&nbsp;kg, symbolizing the weight of the then-one-year-old king.
The Birkebeinerrennet has been held since 1932, and commemorates a trip made by the [[Birkebeiner]] loyalists Torstein Skevla and Skjervald Skrukka to save the infant heir to the [[List of Norwegian monarchs|Norwegian throne]], [[Håkon Håkonsson]], in 1206. All participants carry a backpack weighing at least 3.5&nbsp;kg, symbolizing the weight of the then one-year-old king. The inaugural edition was won by Trygve Beisvåg. An own class for women was established in 1976.
Till 1991 the start city was 1 year Lillehamer (finish Rena)and then the next year Rena (finish Lillehamer). Last year [citation needed] In Lillehamer the start was on the site where the now the skijumparea is build for the winter Olympics 1994.
Until 1991, the start city was alternated between Lillehamer (finish at Rena) and Rena (finish at Lillehamer). The last time that Birkebeinerrenet started at Lillehammer, the start was located on the site where the [[Lysgårdsbakken]] ski jumping arena were built for the [[1994 Winter Olympics]].

=== Special 2002 FIS World Cup Race ===
In 2002, the race was included as the last event in the [[International Ski Federation|FIS]] [[2001–02 FIS Cross-Country World Cup|World Cup]]. The World Cup class was won by [[Thomas Alsgaard]] and [[Anita Moen Guidon]] finishing in
2:24:08.7<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080129014113/http://www.fis-ski.com/uk/604/610.html?sector=CC&raceid=3574 FIS-Ski Results Lillehammer 2002, Men]</ref> and
2:43:39.1,<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110526080742/http://www.fis-ski.com/uk/604/610.html?sector=CC&raceid=3575 FIS-Ski Results Lillehammer 2002, Woman]</ref>
respectively, faster than all records set prior to 2012 for men and prior to 2015 for women. However, the participants in the World Cup class were not required to carry the 3.5&nbsp;kg backpack, and these times set in 2002 were therefore not considered as records.


=== Recent years ===
In 2007, the race was cancelled due to extremely high winds (90&nbsp;km/h or 55&nbsp;mph). However, at the time of cancellation, the event had been under way for nearly an hour, with roughly a quarter of the 13,000 competitors already on course. Despite the efforts of officials to send everyone back to the starting point, 55 competitors eventually reached the finish in [[Lillehammer]], and upon being interviewed, blasted the decision to cancel the event [http://braytonosgood.com/birkebeiner-report].
In 2007, the race was cancelled for the first time in history due to extremely high winds (90&nbsp;km/h or 55&nbsp;mph). However, at the time of cancellation, the event had been under way for nearly an hour, with roughly a quarter of the 13,000 competitors already on course. Despite the efforts of officials to send everyone back to the starting point, 55 competitors eventually reached the finish in [[Lillehammer]], and upon being interviewed, blasted the decision to cancel the event [https://web.archive.org/web/20070927034847/http://braytonosgood.com/birkebeiner-report].


The race has also been cancelled in 2014 15 minutes before the start also due to high winds of 15&nbsp;m/s [http://www.birkebeiner.no/no/Nyhetsartikler/Derfor-ble-avgjorelsen-tatt/]. Despite the cancellation, thousands of skiers completed the route from Rena to Lillehammer (and from Lillehammer to Rena) and criticized the decision [http://www.dn.no/dnaktiv/article2784073.ece] [http://www.langrenn.com/aapent-brev-til-birkebeinerrennet.5444307-313276.html]. The organizers also decided not to give any refunds, which caused an investigation by the Norwegian Skiing Federation.
The race was also cancelled in 2014, only 15 minutes before the start due to high winds of 15&nbsp;m/s.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.birkebeiner.no/no/Nyhetsartikler/Derfor-ble-avgjorelsen-tatt/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140325133827/http://www.birkebeiner.no/no/Nyhetsartikler/Derfor-ble-avgjorelsen-tatt/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=25 March 2014 |title=Derfor ble avgjørelsen tatt |website=birkebeiner.no |language=Norwegian}}</ref> Despite the cancellation, thousands of skiers completed the route from Rena to Lillehammer (and from Lillehammer to Rena) and criticized the decision.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dn.no/dnaktiv/article2784073.ece |title=Birken avlyst |website=dn.no |publisher=[[Dagens Næringsliv]] |language=Norwegian |accessdate=11 March 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.langrenn.com/aapent-brev-til-birkebeinerrennet.5444307-313276.html |title=Åpent brev til Birkebeinerrennet |website=langrenn.com |publisher=Langrenn.com |language=Norwegian |accessdate=11 March 2020}}</ref> The organizers also decided not to give any refunds, which caused an investigation by the Norwegian Skiing Federation. In 2015, conditions were good for skiing fast and new records were set in both the men's and the women's classes. [[Petter Eliassen]] skied in 2 hours, 19 minutes and 28 seconds, more than two minutes faster than the previous record set by [[Anders Aukland]] in 2012. [[Therese Johaug]] skied the 2015 edition in 2 hours, 41 minutes and 46 seconds and set a new record for female skiers. The 2020 edition was cancelled due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic|coronavirus pandemic]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.lifeinnorway.net/birken-ski-cancelled/ |title=Historic Birken Ski Festival Cancelled |website=lifeinnorway.net |publisher=Life in Norway |date=11 March 2020 |accessdate=11 March 2020}}</ref>


==Past winners==
== Past winners ==
''Course record in '''bold'''.''
''Course record in '''bold'''.''
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}


===Men===
=== Men ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Year
! Year
!Name
! Name
!Club/Nation
! Club/Nation
!Time
! Time
|-
|-
|1932
| 1932
|[[Trygve Beisvåg]]
| {{ill|Trygve Beisvåg|no}}
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
|4.51.04
| 4:51.04
|-
|-
|1933
| 1933
|[[Arne Rustadstuen]]
| [[Arne Rustadstuen]]
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
|4.24.12
| 4:24.12
|-
|-
|1934
| 1934
|[[Arne Rustadstuen]] (2)
| [[Arne Rustadstuen]] (2)
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
|5.41.25
| 5:41.25
|-
|-
|1935
| 1935
|[[Olaf Hoffsbakken]]
| [[Olaf Hoffsbakken]]
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
|4.10.35
| 4:10.35
|-
|-
|1936
| 1936
|[[Oscar Gjøslien]]
| [[Oscar Gjøslien]]
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
|5.16.05
| 5:16.05
|-
|-
|1937
| 1937
|[[Gunnar Hansveen]]
| [[Gunnar Hansveen]]
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
|4.44.45
| 4:44.45
|-
|-
|1938
| 1938
|[[Olaf Hoffsbakken]] (2)
| [[Olaf Hoffsbakken]] (2)
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
|3.56.34
| 3:56.34
|-
|-
|1939
| 1939
|[[Hallvard Eggset]]
| {{ill|Hallvard Eggset|nn||no}}
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
|4.09.05
| 4:09.05
|-
|-
|1940
| 1940
|[[Gunnar Hansveen]] (2)
| [[Gunnar Hansveen]] (2)
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
|4.30.09
| 4:30.09
|-
|-
|1946
| 1946
|[[Leif Haugen]]
| [[Leif Haugen]]
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
|3.54.59
| 3:54.59
|-
|-
|1947
| 1947
|[[Gunnar Hermansen]]
| {{ill|Gunnar Hermansen|no}}
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
|4.38.24
| 4:38.24
|-
|-
|1949
| 1949
|[[Olav Kveberg]]
| [[Olav Kveberg]]
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
|4.13.55
| 4:13.55
|-
|-
|1950
| 1950
|[[Gunnar Hermansen]] (2)
| {{ill|Gunnar Hermansen|no}} (2)
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
|4.28.15
| 4:28.15
|-
|-
|1951
| 1951
|[[Thorfinn Staff Eid]]
| [[Thorfinn Staff Eid]]
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
|4.12.01
| 4:12.01
|-
|-
|1952
| 1952
|[[Odd Nyborg]]
| {{ill|Odd Nyborg|no}}
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
|4.17.50
| 4:17.50
|-
|-
|1953
| 1953
|[[Johs. Woxen]]
| [[Johs. Woxen]]
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
|4.20.25
| 4:20.25
|-
|-
|1954
| 1954
|[[Johan Østvang]]
| {{ill|Johan Østvang|nn||no}}
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
|4.30.18
| 4:30.18
|-
|-
|1955
| 1955
|[[Oddmund Jensen]]
| [[Oddmund Jensen]]
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
|3.57.31
| 3:57.31
|-
|-
|1956
| 1956
|[[Einar Skaaren]]
| [[Einar Skaaren]]
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
|4.03.33
| 4:03.33
|-
|-
|1957
| 1957
|[[Oddmund Jensen]] (2)
| [[Oddmund Jensen]] (2)
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
|3.48.46
| 3:48.46
|-
|-
|1958
| 1958
|[[Oddmund Jensen]] (3)
| [[Oddmund Jensen]] (3)
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
|3.39.34
| 3:39.34
|-
|-
|1959
| 1959
|[[Einar Skaaren]] (2)
| [[Einar Skaaren]] (2)
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
|4.01.33
| 4:01.33
|-
|-
|1960
| 1960
|[[Martin Stokken]]
| [[Martin Stokken]]
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
|3.34.19
| 3:34.19
|-
|-
|1961
| 1961
|[[Ole Ellefsæter]]
| [[Ole Ellefsæter]]
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
|3.44.02
| 3:44.02
|-
|-
|1962
| 1962
|[[Oddmund Jensen]] (4)
| [[Oddmund Jensen]] (4)
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
|3.43.15
| 3:43.15
|-
|-
|1963
| 1963
|[[Magnar Ingebrigtsli]]
| [[Magnar Ingebrigtsli]]
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
|4.04.59
| 4:04.59
|-
|-
|1964
| 1964
|[[Egil Tvedt]]
| [[Egil Tvedt]]
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
|3.23.31
| 3:23.31
|-
|-
|1965
| 1965
|[[Oddmund Jensen]] (5)
| [[Oddmund Jensen]] (5)
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
|3.41.48
| 3:41.48
|-
|-
|1966
| 1966
|[[Egil Tvedt]] (2)
| [[Egil Tvedt]] (2)
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
|3.36.34
| 3:36.34
|-
|-
|1967
| 1967
|[[Ivar Skogsrud]]
| {{ill|Ivar Skogsrud|es||fr||pl}}
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
|4.00.39
| 4:00.39
|-
|-
|1968
| 1968
|[[Erik Solberg Johansen]]
| [[Erik Solberg Johansen]]
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
|4.16.50
| 4:16.50
|-
|-
|1969
| 1969
|[[Niri Helleberg]]
| [[Niri Helleberg]]
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
|3.20.51
| 3:20.51
|-
|-
|1970
| 1970
|[[Arne Vehus]]
| [[Arne Vehus]]
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
|3.21.40
| 3:21.40
|-
|-
|1971
| 1971
|[[Bjørn Arvnes]]
| [[Bjørn Arvnes]]
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
|3.40.30
| 3:40.30
|-
|-
|1972
| 1972
|[[Erik Solberg Johansen]] (2)
| [[Erik Solberg Johansen]] (2)
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
|3.24.19
| 3:24.19
|-
|-
|1973
| 1973
|[[Per Knotten]]
| [[Per Knotten]]
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
|3.06.07
| 3:06.07
|-
|-
|1974
| 1974
|[[Dag Anmarkrud]]
| [[Dag Anmarkrud]]
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
|3.22.42
| 3:22.42
|-
|-
|1975
| 1975
|[[Ivar Formo]]
| [[Ivar Formo]]
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
|3.25.35
| 3:25.35
|-
|-
|1976
| 1976
|[[Audun Kolstad]]
| [[Audun Kolstad]]
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
|3.12.10
| 3:12.10
|-
|-
|1977
| 1977
|[[Audun Kolstad]] (2)
| [[Audun Kolstad]] (2)
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
|3.05.39
| 3:05.39
|-
|-
|1978
| 1978
|[[Anders Bakken]]
| [[Anders Bakken]]
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
|3.14.04
| 3:14.04
|-
|-
|1979
| 1979
|[[Anders Bakken]] (2)
| [[Anders Bakken]] (2)
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
|3.14.35
| 3:14.35
|-
|-
|1980
| 1980
|[[Dag Atle Bjørkheim]]
| [[Dag Atle Bjørkheim]]
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
|3.16.05
| 3:16.05
|-
|-
|1981
| 1981
|[[Sven-Åke Lundbäck]]
| [[Sven-Åke Lundbäck]]
|{{flagicon|Sweden}} [[Sweden]]
| {{flagicon|Sweden}} [[Sweden]]
|3.16.25
| 3:16.25
|-
|-
|1982
| 1982
|[[Dag Atle Bjørkheim]] (2)
| [[Dag Atle Bjørkheim]] (2)
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
|3.02.43
| 3:02.43
|-
|-
|1983
| 1983
|[[Per Knut Aaland]]
| [[Per Knut Aaland]]
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
|2.51.25
| 2:51.25
|-
|-
|1984
| 1984
|[[Magnar Rismyhr]]
| {{ill|Magnar Rismyhr|no}}
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
|2.59.28
| 2:59.28
|-
|-
|1985
| 1985
|[[Ola Hassis]]
| [[Ola Hassis]]
|{{flagicon|Sweden}} [[Sweden]]
| {{flagicon|Sweden}} [[Sweden]]
|2.53.11
| 2:53.11
|-
|-
|1986
| 1986
|[[Örjan Blomquist]]
| [[Örjan Blomquist]]
|{{flagicon|Sweden}} [[Sweden]]
| {{flagicon|Sweden}} [[Sweden]]
|3.08.30
| 3:08.30
|-
|-
|1987
| 1987
|[[Pierre Harvey]]
| [[Pierre Harvey]]
|{{flagicon|Canada}} [[Canada]]
| {{flagicon|Canada}} [[Canada]]
|3.08.30
| 3:08.30
|-
|-
|1988
| 1988
|[[Jo Helgestad]]
| [[Jo Helgestad]]
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
|3.08.08
| 3:08.08
|-
|-
|1989
| 1989
|[[John Kvale]]
| [[John Kvale]]
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
|2.58.56
| 2:58.56
|-
|-
|1990
| 1990
|[[Per Knut Aaland]] (2)
| [[Per Knut Aaland]] (2)
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
|3.03.44
| 3:03.44
|-
|-
|1991
| 1991
|[[Per Knut Aaland]] (3)
| [[Per Knut Aaland]] (3)
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
|3.05.07
| 3:05.07
|-
|-
|1992
| 1992
|[[Odd-Bjørn Hjelmeset]]
| [[Odd-Bjørn Hjelmeset]]
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
|3.15.34
| 3:15.34
|-
|-
|1993
| 1993
|[[Aleksandr Golubev (cross-country skier)|Aleksandr Golubev]]
| [[Aleksandr Golubev (cross-country skier)|Aleksandr Golubev]]
|{{flagicon|Russia}} [[Russia]]
| {{flagicon|Russia}} [[Russia]]
|2.45.42
| 2:45.42
|-
|-
|1994
| 1994
|[[Erling Jevne]]
| [[Erling Jevne]]
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
|2.36.10
| 2:36.10
|-
|-
|1995
| 1995
|[[Odd-Bjørn Hjelmeset]] (2)
| [[Odd-Bjørn Hjelmeset]] (2)
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
|2.57.18
| 2:57.18
|-
|-
|1996
| 1996
|[[Erling Jevne]] (2)
| [[Erling Jevne]] (2)
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
|2.39.12
| 2:39.12
|-
|-
|1997
| 1997
|[[Erling Jevne]] (3)
| [[Erling Jevne]] (3)
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
|2.33.05
| 2:33.05
|-
|-
|1998
| 1998
|[[Erling Jevne]] (4)
| [[Erling Jevne]] (4)
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
|2.43.19
| 2:43.19
|-
|-
|1999
| 1999
|[[Erling Jevne]] (5)
| [[Erling Jevne]] (5)
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Øyer-Tretten IF]], [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Øyer-Tretten IF]], [[Norway]]
|2.50.45
| 2:50.45
|-
|-
|2000
| 2000
|[[Erling Jevne]] (6)
| [[Erling Jevne]] (6)
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Øyer-Tretten IF]], [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Øyer-Tretten IF]], [[Norway]]
|2.41.53
| 2:41.53
|-
|-
|2001
| 2001
|[[Erling Jevne]] (7)
| [[Erling Jevne]] (7)
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Øyer-Tretten IF]], [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Øyer-Tretten IF]], [[Norway]]
|2.38.45
| 2:38.45
|-
|-
|2002
| 2002
|[[Stanislav Řezáč]]
| [[Stanislav Řezáč]]
|{{flagicon|Czech Republic}} [[Czech Republic]]
| {{flagicon|Czech Republic}} [[Czech Republic]]
|2.39.08
| 2:39.08
|-
|-
|2003
| 2003
|[[Odd-Bjørn Hjelmeset]] (3)
| [[Odd-Bjørn Hjelmeset]] (3)
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Fjellhug/Vereide IL]], [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} {{ill|Fjellhug/Vereide IL|no|Fjellhug/Vereide Idrettslag}}, [[Norway]]
|2.39.56
| 2:39.56
|-
|-
|2004
| 2004
|[[Gianantonio Zanetel]]
| {{ill|Gianantonio Zanetel|de||pl}}
|{{flagicon|Italy}} [[Italy]]
| {{flagicon|Italy}} [[Italy]]
|2.48.55
| 2:48.55
|-
|-
|2005
| 2005
|[[Stanislav Řezáč]] (2)
| [[Stanislav Řezáč]] (2)
|{{flagicon|Czech Republic}} [[Czech Republic]]
| {{flagicon|Czech Republic}} [[Czech Republic]]
|2.37.37
| 2:37.37
|-
|-
|2006
| 2006
|[[Anders Aukland]]
| [[Anders Aukland]]
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Oseberg SL]], [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Oseberg SL]], [[Norway]]
|2.52.13
| 2:52.13
|-
|-
|2007
| 2007
|Cancelled
| colspan="3" align=center | Cancelled
|
|–
|-
|-
|2008
| 2008
|[[Stanislav Řezáč]] (3)
| [[Stanislav Řezáč]] (3)
|{{flagicon|Czech Republic}} [[Czech Republic]]
| {{flagicon|Czech Republic}} [[Czech Republic]]
|2.24.33
| 2:24.33
|-
|-
|2009
| 2009
|[[Jerry Ahrlin]]
| [[Jerry Ahrlin]]
|{{flagicon|Sweden}} [[Sweden]]
| {{flagicon|Sweden}} [[Sweden]]
|2.36.58
| 2:36.58
|-
|-
|2010
| 2010
|[[Anders Aukland]] (2)
| [[Anders Aukland]] (2)
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Oseberg SL]], [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Oseberg SL]], [[Norway]]
|2.27.19
| 2:27.19
|-
|-
|2011
| 2011
|[[Stanislav Řezáč]] (4)
| [[Stanislav Řezáč]] (4)
|{{flagicon|Czech Republic}} [[Czech Republic]]
| {{flagicon|Czech Republic}} [[Czech Republic]]
|2.39.54
| 2:39.54
|-
|-
|2012
| 2012
|[[Anders Aukland]] (3)
| [[Anders Aukland]] (3)
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
|2.21.34
| 2:21.34
|-
|-
|2013
| 2013
|[[Anders Aukland]] (4)
| [[Anders Aukland]] (4)
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
|2.42.38
| 2:42.38
|-
|-
|2014
| 2014
|Cancelled
| colspan="3" align=center | Cancelled
|
|–
|-
|-
|2015
| 2015
|[[Petter Eliassen]]
| [[Petter Eliassen]]
|{{flagicon|Norway}} Team LeasePlan Go, [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} Team LeasePlan Go, [[Norway]]
|'''2.19.28'''
| '''2:19.28'''
|-
|-
|2016
| 2016
|[[John Kristian Dahl]]
| [[John Kristian Dahl]]
|{{flagicon|Norway}} Team United Bakeries, [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} Team United Bakeries, [[Norway]]
|2.27.34
| 2:27.34
|-
| 2017
| [[Martin Johnsrud Sundby]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} Team United Bakeries, [[Norway]]
| 2:20.52
|-
| 2018
| [[Andreas Nygaard]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} Team Santander, [[Norway]]
| 2:33.13
|-
| 2019
| [[Petter Eliassen]] (2)
| {{flagicon|Norway}} Team BN Bank, [[Norway]]
| 2:23.47
|-
| 2020
| colspan="3" align=center | Cancelled due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic|coronavirus pandemic]]
|}
|}


{{col-2}}
===Women===

=== Women ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Year
! Year
!Name
! Name
!Club/Nation
! Club/Nation
!Time
! Time
|-
|-
|1976
| 1976
|[[Berit Mørdre Lammedal]]
| [[Berit Mørdre Lammedal]]
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
|3.54.44
| 3:54.44
|-
|-
|1977
| 1977
|[[Valborg Østberg]]
| [[Valborg Østberg]]
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
|3.31.04
| 3:31.04
|-
|-
|1978
| 1978
|[[Birgit Øverby Tennøe]]
| [[Birgit Øverby Tennøe]]
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
|3.49.01
| 3:49.01
|-
|-
|1979
| 1979
|[[Anna Bjørgan]]
| [[Anna Bjørgan]]
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
|4.07.48
| 4:07.48
|-
|-
|1980
| 1980
|[[Anna Bjørgan]] (2)
| [[Anna Bjørgan]] (2)
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
|3.47.15
| 3:47.15
|-
|-
|1981
| 1981
|[[Vigdis Rønning]]
| [[Vigdis Rønning]]
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
|3.43.19
| 3:43.19
|-
|-
|1982
| 1982
|[[Birgit Øverby Tennøe]] (2)
| [[Birgit Øverby Tennøe]] (2)
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
|3.40.55
| 3:40.55
|-
|-
|1983
| 1983
|[[Hilde Riis]]
| [[Hilde Riis]]
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
|3.26.47
| 3:26.47
|-
|-
|1984
| 1984
|[[Gry Oftedal]]
| [[Gry Oftedal]]
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
|3.27.00
| 3:27.00
|-
|-
|1985
| 1985
|[[Gry Oftedal]] (2)
| [[Gry Oftedal]] (2)
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
|3.25.45
| 3:25.45
|-
|-
|1986
| 1986
|[[Ellen Grepperud]]
| [[Ellen Grepperud]]
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
|3.52.45
| 3:52.45
|-
|-
|1987
| 1987
|[[Astrid Dæhlie]]
| [[Astrid Dæhlie]]
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
|3.47.32
| 3:47.32
|-
|-
|1988
| 1988
|[[Elisabeth Tharaldsen]]
| [[Elisabeth Tharaldsen]]
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
|3.50.13
| 3:50.13
|-
|-
|1989
| 1989
|[[Marthe Flugstad]]
| [[Marthe Flugstad]]
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
|3.13.35
| 3:13.35
|-
|-
|1990
| 1990
|[[Mona Fugli]]
| [[Mona Fugli]]
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
|3.51.50
| 3:51.50
|-
|-
|1991
| 1991
|[[Ragnhild Bratberg]]
| [[Ragnhild Bratberg]]
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
|3.38.54
| 3:38.54
|-
|-
|1992
| 1992
|[[Anne Jahren]]
| [[Anne Jahren]]
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
|3.52.00
| 3:52.00
|-
|-
|1993
| 1993
|[[Astrid Kristin Ruud]]
| [[Astrid Kristin Ruud]]
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[NTNUI|NTHI]], [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[NTNUI|NTHI]], [[Norway]]
|3.24.25
| 3:24.25
|-
|-
|1994
| 1994
|[[Marit Elveos]]
| [[Marit Elveos]]
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
|3.21.12
| 3:21.12
|-
|-
|1995
| 1995
|[[Unni Ødegård]]
| [[Unni Ødegård]]
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
|3.28.15
| 3:28.15
|-
|-
|1996
| 1996
|[[Marit Mikkelsplass]]
| [[Marit Mikkelsplass]]
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
|3.05.12
| 3:05.12
|-
|-
|1997
| 1997
|[[Marthe Flugstad]] (2)
| [[Marthe Flugstad]] (2)
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
|3.10.46
| 3:10.46
|-
|-
|1998
| 1998
|[[Anita Moen Guidon]]
| [[Anita Moen Guidon]]
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Trysilfjellet SK]], [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Trysilfjellet SK]], [[Norway]]
|3.03.21
| 3:03.21
|-
|-
|1999
| 1999
|[[Anita Moen Guidon]] (2)
| [[Anita Moen Guidon]] (2)
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Trysilfjellet SK]], [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Trysilfjellet SK]], [[Norway]]
|3.21.22
| 3:21.22
|-
|-
|2000
| 2000
|[[Anita Moen Guidon]] (3)
| [[Anita Moen Guidon]] (3)
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Trysilfjellet SK]], [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Trysilfjellet SK]], [[Norway]]
|3.06.24
| 3:06.24
|-
|-
|2001
| 2001
|[[Anita Moen Guidon]] (4)
| [[Anita Moen Guidon]] (4)
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Trysilfjellet SK]], [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Trysilfjellet SK]], [[Norway]]
|3.03.27
| 3:03.27
|-
|-
|2002
| 2002
|[[Marthe Flugstad]] (3)
| [[Marthe Flugstad]] (3)
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Gjøvik SK]], [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Gjøvik SK]], [[Norway]]
|3.08.27
| 3:08.27
|-
|-
|2003
| 2003
|[[Annmari Viljanmaa]]
| [[Annmari Viljanmaa]]
|{{flagicon|Finland}} [[Finland]]
| {{flagicon|Finland}} [[Finland]]
|3.05.16
| 3:05.16
|-
|-
|2004
| 2004
|[[Annmari Viljanmaa]] (2)
| [[Annmari Viljanmaa]] (2)
|{{flagicon|Finland}} [[Finland]]
| {{flagicon|Finland}} [[Finland]]
|3.03.47
| 3:03.47
|-
|-
|2005
| 2005
|[[Cristina Paluselli]]
| [[Cristina Paluselli]]
|{{flagicon|Italy}} [[Italy]]
| {{flagicon|Italy}} [[Italy]]
|3.10.59
| 3:10.59
|-
|-
|2006
| 2006
|[[Hilde Gjermundshaug Pedersen]]
| [[Hilde Gjermundshaug Pedersen]]
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Nybygda IL]], [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Nybygda IL]], [[Norway]]
|3.08.10
| 3:08.10
|-
|-
|2007
| 2007
|Cancelled
| colspan="3" align=center | Cancelled
|
|–
|-
|-
|2008
| 2008
|[[Hilde Gjermundshaug Pedersen]] (2)
| {{nowrap|[[Hilde Gjermundshaug Pedersen]] (2)}}
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Nybygda IL]], [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Nybygda IL]], [[Norway]]
|2.52.04
| 2:52.04
|-
|-
|2009
| 2009
|[[Hilde Gjermundshaug Pedersen]] (3)
| [[Hilde Gjermundshaug Pedersen]] (3)
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Nybygda IL]], [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Nybygda IL]], [[Norway]]
|3.05.00
| 3:05.00
|-
|-
|2010
| 2010
|[[Jenny Hansson]]
| [[Jenny Hansson]]
|{{flagicon|Sweden}} [[Sweden]]
| {{flagicon|Sweden}} [[Sweden]]
|2.57.33
| 2:57.33
|-
|-
|2011
| 2011
|[[Seraina Boner]]
| [[Seraina Boner]]
|{{flagicon|Switzerland}} [[Switzerland]]
| {{flagicon|Switzerland}} [[Switzerland]]
|3.11.17
| 3:11.17
|-
|-
|2012
| 2012
|[[Seraina Boner]] (2)
| [[Seraina Boner]] (2)
|{{flagicon|Switzerland}} [[Switzerland]]
| {{flagicon|Switzerland}} [[Switzerland]]
|2.47.03
| 2:47.03
|-
|-
|2013
| 2013
|[[Seraina Boner]] (3)
| [[Seraina Boner]] (3)
|{{flagicon|Switzerland}} [[Switzerland]]
| {{flagicon|Switzerland}} [[Switzerland]]
|3.09.12
| 3:09.12
|-
|-
|2014
| 2014
|Cancelled [http://www.birkebeiner.no/no/Nyhetsartikler/Derfor-ble-avgjorelsen-tatt/]
| colspan="3" align=center | Cancelled<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.birkebeiner.no/no/Nyhetsartikler/Derfor-ble-avgjorelsen-tatt/ |title=Derfor ble avgjørelsen tatt |language=Norwegian |website=birkebeiner.no |publisher=Birkebeinerrennet |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140325133827/http://www.birkebeiner.no/no/Nyhetsartikler/Derfor-ble-avgjorelsen-tatt/ |archive-date=25 March 2014}}</ref>
|
|–
|-
|-
|2015
| 2015
|[[Therese Johaug]]
| [[Therese Johaug]]
|{{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
|'''2.41.46'''
| '''2.41.46'''
|-
|-
|2016
| 2016
|[[Seraina Boner]] (4)
| [[Seraina Boner]] (4)
|{{flagicon|Switzerland}} [[Switzerland]]
| {{flagicon|Switzerland}} [[Switzerland]]
|2.55.04
| 2:55.04
|-
| 2017
| [[Justyna Kowalczyk]]
| {{flagicon|Poland}} Team Santander, [[Poland]]
| 2:46.40
|-
| 2018
| [[Justyna Kowalczyk]] (2)
| {{flagicon|Poland}} Team Santander, [[Poland]]
| 3:06.10
|-
| 2019
| [[Justyna Kowalczyk]] (3)
| {{flagicon|Poland}} Team Trentino Robinson Trainer, [[Poland]]
| 2:51.31
|-
| 2020
| colspan="3" align=center | Cancelled due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic|coronavirus pandemic]]
|}
|}
{{col-end}}


===Special 2002 FIS World-Cup Race===
== Birken Ski Festival ==
In the week preceding Birkebeinerrennet, several cross-country skiing races are held during the Birken Ski Festival:

* Inga-låmi (ladies – {{convert|5|–|30|km|mi|abbr=on}})
In 2002, the race was included as the last event in the [[International Ski Federation|FIS]] world-cup. The world-cup class was won by [[Thomas Alsgaard]] and [[Anita Moen Guidon]] finishing in
* HalvBirken (half – {{convert|28|km|mi|abbr=on}})
2:24:08.7<ref>[http://www.fis-ski.com/uk/604/610.html?sector=CC&raceid=3574 FIS-Ski Results Lillehammer 2002, Men]{{dead link|date=December 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> and
* BarneBirken (kids)
2:43:39.1,<ref>[http://www.fis-ski.com/uk/604/610.html?sector=CC&raceid=3575 FIS-Ski Results Lillehammer 2002, Woman]{{dead link|date=November 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
* UngdomsBirken (9–16 years old – {{convert|15|km|mi|abbr=on}})
respectively, faster than both [[Stanislav Rezac|Rezac's]] and [[Hilde Gjermundshaug Pedersen|Hilde GP's]] records as of 2008. The participants in the world-cup class were, however, not required to carry the 3.5&nbsp;kg backpack.
* StafettBirken (relay – {{convert|50|km|mi|abbr=on}})
* FredagsBirken (Friday, original race – {{convert|54|km|mi|abbr=on}})
* Birkebeinerrennet (original – {{convert|54|km|mi|abbr=on}})


== References ==
== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


==External links==
== External links ==
{{Commonscat-inline|Birkebeinerrennet}}
{{Commons category-inline|Birkebeinerrennet}}
*[http://vagle.info/turrennklubben_com/images/skirace_info/Birkebeinerrennet.kmz KMZ file tracing out the route of the race] Requires [[Google Earth]] software.
* [http://vagle.info/turrennklubben_com/images/skirace_info/Birkebeinerrennet.kmz KMZ file tracing out the route of the race] Requires [[Google Earth]] software.
*[https://maps.google.com/maps?q=http://vagle.info/turrennklubben_com/images/skirace_info/Birkebeinerrennet.kmz 2D View] in [[Google Maps]].
* [https://maps.google.com/maps?q=http://vagle.info/turrennklubben_com/images/skirace_info/Birkebeinerrennet.kmz 2D View] in [[Google Maps]].
*[http://www.birkebeiner.no/ Official homepage (in Norwegian)]
* [http://www.birkebeiner.no/ Official homepage (in Norwegian)]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20090326085046/http://www.birkebeiner.no:80/English/ English version of the official homepage]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090222013924/http://www.birkebeiner.no/English/ English version of the official homepage]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20090406223346/http://www.birkebeiner.no:80/Deutch/ German version of the official homepage]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090218183523/http://www.birkebeiner.no/Deutch/ German version of the official homepage]


{{Worldloppet}}
{{Worldloppet}}
[[Category:1932 establishments in Norway]]

[[Category:Cross-country skiing competitions in Norway]]
[[Category:Åmot]]
[[Category:Åmot]]
[[Category:Cross-country skiing competitions in Norway]]
[[Category:March sporting events]]
[[Category:Recurring sporting events established in 1932]]
[[Category:Sport in Hedmark]]
[[Category:Sport in Hedmark]]
[[Category:Sport in Lillehammer]]
[[Category:Sport in Lillehammer]]
[[Category:1932 establishments in Norway]]
[[Category:Recurring sporting events established in 1932]]
[[Category:March sporting events]]

Latest revision as of 15:37, 14 January 2024

This article is about the Norwegian cross-country ski race. For the American equivalent, see American Birkebeiner. For the Canadian equivalent, see Canadian Birkebeiner.
Birkebeinerrennet
Birkebeinerrennet 2010
Statusactive
Genresporting event
Date(s)Third Saturday in March
Frequencyannual
Location(s)Rena–Lillehammer
CountryNorway
Years active92
Inaugurated1932 (1932) (men)
1976 (1976) (women)
ActivityCross-country skiing
Sponsor
[1]

Birkebeinerrennet (lit. The Birkebeiner race) is a long-distance cross-country ski marathon held annually in Norway. It debuted in 1932 and has been a part of Worldloppet since Worldloppet's inception in 1979.[2]

The Birkebeinerrennet is one of three races held under the Birkebeiner moniker, the other two being Birkebeinerrittet (bicycling) and Birkebeinerløpet [no] (cross-country running).

The race was inspired by a notable journey made by the Birkebeiner loyalists Torstein Skevla and Skjervald Skrukka to save the infant heir to the Norwegian throne, Håkon Håkonsson, in the winter of 1206.

Researchers at the Manchester Metropolitan University found that the metabolic cost for modern ski models is about 2.5 J/kg*m as compared to about 5 J/kg*m for ski models dated 542 AD. They also estimated maximum cross country speed for the 542 AD ski to 5 m/s, compared to about 12 m/s for modern cross country skis; for long distance skiing (several hours) results were 3 and 7 m/s respectively. This corresponds to about 5 hours for the original 1206 AD Birkebeiner flight.[3]

Race

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The race starts at Rena and ends at Lillehammer, a distance of 54 kilometres (34 mi). The number of participants has been steadily increasing each year, and for the 2011 race, the limit was set at 16,000.[4]

The following aid stations are present:

  • Skramstadsetra, 9 km
  • Dambua, 15 km
  • Kvarstad, 28 km
  • Midtfjellet, 35 km
  • Sjusjøen, 40 km

History

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Origin

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Skiing Birchlegs Crossing the Mountain with the Royal Child, painted by Knud Bergslien. Painting located at The Ski Museum. Holmenkollen, Oslo, Norway.

The Birkebeinerrennet has been held since 1932, and commemorates a trip made by the Birkebeiner loyalists Torstein Skevla and Skjervald Skrukka to save the infant heir to the Norwegian throne, Håkon Håkonsson, in 1206. All participants carry a backpack weighing at least 3.5 kg, symbolizing the weight of the then one-year-old king. The inaugural edition was won by Trygve Beisvåg. An own class for women was established in 1976. Until 1991, the start city was alternated between Lillehamer (finish at Rena) and Rena (finish at Lillehamer). The last time that Birkebeinerrenet started at Lillehammer, the start was located on the site where the Lysgårdsbakken ski jumping arena were built for the 1994 Winter Olympics.

Special 2002 FIS World Cup Race

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In 2002, the race was included as the last event in the FIS World Cup. The World Cup class was won by Thomas Alsgaard and Anita Moen Guidon finishing in 2:24:08.7[5] and 2:43:39.1,[6] respectively, faster than all records set prior to 2012 for men and prior to 2015 for women. However, the participants in the World Cup class were not required to carry the 3.5 kg backpack, and these times set in 2002 were therefore not considered as records.

Recent years

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In 2007, the race was cancelled for the first time in history due to extremely high winds (90 km/h or 55 mph). However, at the time of cancellation, the event had been under way for nearly an hour, with roughly a quarter of the 13,000 competitors already on course. Despite the efforts of officials to send everyone back to the starting point, 55 competitors eventually reached the finish in Lillehammer, and upon being interviewed, blasted the decision to cancel the event [1].

The race was also cancelled in 2014, only 15 minutes before the start due to high winds of 15 m/s.[7] Despite the cancellation, thousands of skiers completed the route from Rena to Lillehammer (and from Lillehammer to Rena) and criticized the decision.[8][9] The organizers also decided not to give any refunds, which caused an investigation by the Norwegian Skiing Federation. In 2015, conditions were good for skiing fast and new records were set in both the men's and the women's classes. Petter Eliassen skied in 2 hours, 19 minutes and 28 seconds, more than two minutes faster than the previous record set by Anders Aukland in 2012. Therese Johaug skied the 2015 edition in 2 hours, 41 minutes and 46 seconds and set a new record for female skiers. The 2020 edition was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.[10]

Past winners

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Course record in bold.

Birken Ski Festival

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In the week preceding Birkebeinerrennet, several cross-country skiing races are held during the Birken Ski Festival:

  • Inga-låmi (ladies – 5–30 km (3.1–18.6 mi))
  • HalvBirken (half – 28 km (17 mi))
  • BarneBirken (kids)
  • UngdomsBirken (9–16 years old – 15 km (9.3 mi))
  • StafettBirken (relay – 50 km (31 mi))
  • FredagsBirken (Friday, original race – 54 km (34 mi))
  • Birkebeinerrennet (original – 54 km (34 mi))

References

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  1. ^ "Samarbeidspartnere" [Sponsors]. birkebeiner.no/no/ski. Birken. Retrieved 11 January 2019.
  2. ^ "Birkebeinerrennet". Worldloppet. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
  3. ^ Formenti, Federico et al. (2005): Human locomotion on snow: Determinants of economy and speed of skiing across the ages Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine, Proceedings of the Royal Society B, vol. 272 no. 1572, 1561–1569 .
  4. ^ "Viessmann FIS World Cup Cross-Country – Birkebeinerrennet sold out in 18 minutes". Archived from the original on 23 January 2011. Retrieved 19 March 2011.
  5. ^ FIS-Ski Results Lillehammer 2002, Men
  6. ^ FIS-Ski Results Lillehammer 2002, Woman
  7. ^ "Derfor ble avgjørelsen tatt". birkebeiner.no (in Norwegian). Archived from the original on 25 March 2014.
  8. ^ "Birken avlyst". dn.no (in Norwegian). Dagens Næringsliv. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
  9. ^ "Åpent brev til Birkebeinerrennet". langrenn.com (in Norwegian). Langrenn.com. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
  10. ^ "Historic Birken Ski Festival Cancelled". lifeinnorway.net. Life in Norway. 11 March 2020. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
  11. ^ "Derfor ble avgjørelsen tatt". birkebeiner.no (in Norwegian). Birkebeinerrennet. Archived from the original on 25 March 2014.
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Media related to Birkebeinerrennet at Wikimedia Commons

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