Birkebeinerrennet 2026: Skøytebirken Delayed – Here's the Latest
It's one of the really big days on the Norwegian winter sports calendar, but this year the Birkebeinerrennet has thrown up a little extra challenge even before the starting gun has fired. The Skøytebirken, scheduled for today, has been delayed by two hours. The organisers confirmed the news from the race headquarters in Rena on Saturday morning. For those of us who have been coming here for years, it brings to mind both the 2015 Birkebeinerrennet, when heavy snow played havoc, and the 2016 event, when the freezing cold caused problems. But this year, a different weather phenomenon is calling the shots.
New Start Time and Safety First
The roughly 3000 skaters registered for the race will need to be patient. Instead of 9:30 am, the start will now be at 11:30 am. The reason is heavy snowfall and poor visibility on the slopes up towards Sjøsjøen. Course crews are working around the clock to reset the tracks, and as always, participant safety is the absolute priority. There's no drama here, really – just plain common sense. We've seen it before: the Birkebeinerrennet is an event where people and nature meet, and sometimes the schedule just has to be flexible.
Rena Spirit Unshaken by the Hold-Up
Despite the delay, the atmosphere here in Rena is fantastic. The caravan park is buzzing, with people lighting campfires and brewing coffee. For many, this is the absolute highlight of their year. One bloke from Tromsø I had a yarn with just grinned: "I've been waiting two years for this. An extra couple of hours doesn't worry me – just gives me more time to drink coffee and really talk up my chances." It's that attitude we absolutely love about this race – whether it's classic or skating, and whether the clock's ticking or not.
- Skøytebirken: New start time 11:30 am from Rena.
- Classic race: Still scheduled to go ahead tomorrow morning as planned.
- Track conditions right now: Soft with fresh snow at the start, but conditions improve as the course climbs.
- Top tip for participants: Don't stress, soak up the atmosphere, and save your energy.
A Reminder of the Race's Rich History
For those of us who've followed the Birkebeinerrennet for years, it's days like these that remind us why we love this event. Back in 2015, it was extreme snowfalls that defined the race; in 2016, it was bitterly cold temperatures. Both years, people still showed up, and both years turned into unforgettable events. This year's edition looks set to follow suit: Challenges make for the best stories. When the skaters finally get going late this morning, it'll be a celebration from start to finish. The Birkebeinerrennet is more than just a ski race – it's a true festival of sport and a tribute to a legend. And this year, we get an extra hour or two to enjoy it.
We'll be keeping a close eye on the course and bringing you the latest as it happens throughout the day. For now, we're just keen to see those first skaters disappear into the trees towards Mjøsa. The Birkebeinerrennet 2026 is underway – a bit late, but fair dinkum underway!