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Birkebeinerrennet (lit. The Birkebeiner run/race) is a long-distance cross-country ski race (ski marathon) held annually in Norway. It is Norway's race in the Worldloppet Ski Federation. It is one of three races held under the Birkebeiner moniker, the other two being Birkebeinerrittet (bicycling) and Birkebeinerløpet (cross-country running).

[edit] Race

The race starts at Rena and ends at Lillehammer, a distance of 54 km. The number of participants is limited to 12,000 and is usually fully subscribed.

[edit] History

The run has been held since 1932, and commemorates a trip made by the Birkebeiner loyalists to save the 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 heir.

Worldloppet cross-country skiing races
Europe: Birkebeinerrennet | Dolomitenlauf | Engadin Skimarathon | Finlandia-hiihto | Jizerská padesátka | König Ludwig Lauf | Marcialonga | Tartu Maraton | La Transjurassienne | Vasaloppet America: American Birkebeiner | Keskinada Loppet | Asia: Sapporo International Ski Marathon | Australia: Kangaroo Hoppet

[edit] External links

• Official homepage (in Norwegian)
• English version of the official homepage
• Pictures from the 2006 race (from Aftenposten.no)de:Birkebeinerrennet

no:Birkebeinerrennet nn:Birkebeinerrennet