Birkebeinerrennet 2026: Skate race delayed by two hours – latest updates

It's one of the true highlight days in the Norwegian winter sports calendar, but this year the Birkebeinerrennet is throwing up an extra challenge even before the starting gun has fired. The skate race, scheduled for today, has been delayed by two hours. The organisers confirmed this from the race secretariat in Rena on Saturday morning. For those of us who have been coming here for years, it brings to mind both the 2015 race, when heavy snowfall caused chaos, and the 2016 event, when freezing temperatures created problems. But this year, a different weather phenomenon is calling the shots.

New start time with safety the priority

The roughly 3,000 entrants for the skate race will need to exercise some patience. Instead of 9.30 am, the start will now be at 11.30 am. The reason is thick snowfall and poor visibility on the slopes up towards Sjøsjøen. The track crews are working flat out to groom the trails again, and participant safety is, of course, the top priority. There's no drama here, mind you – just common sense. We've seen it before: the Birkebeinerrennet is an event where people and nature meet, and timings sometimes have to be adjusted.

Atmosphere in Rena unaffected by the delay

Despite the hold-up, the atmosphere here in Rena remains unshaken. Campervans are packed tightly together, and people have lit campfires and are brewing coffee. For many, this is the pinnacle of their year. One chap from Tromsø I had a chat with gave a knowing smile: "I've been waiting two years for this. An extra two hours doesn't bother me; it just means I can have another coffee and really get my head in the game." That's the attitude we love about this race – whether it's classic or skate, and regardless of what the clock says.

• Skate race (Skøytebirken): New start time 11.30 am from Rena.
• Classic race: Going ahead as planned tomorrow morning.
• Trail conditions right now: Soft, fresh snow at the start, but conditions improve as the course climbs.
• Tip for participants: Don't rush, soak up the atmosphere, and conserve your energy.

A reminder of the race's rich history

For those of us who have followed the Birkebeinerrennet for years, days like this remind us why we love this event. In 2015, extreme snowfall defined the race; in 2016, it was brutally low temperatures. Both years, people still turned up, and both years produced memorable editions. This year's race looks set to follow suit: Challenges make for the best stories. When the skate skiers finally get underway late morning, it's guaranteed to be a party from start to finish. The Birkebeinerrennet is more than just a ski race – it's a celebration and a tribute to a legend. And this year, we get an extra hour or two to enjoy it.

We're keeping a close eye on the course and will bring you the latest news throughout the day. For now, we're just looking forward to watching the first skate skiers disappear into the forest towards Mjøsa. The Birkebeinerrennet 2026 is underway – delayed, but most definitely underway!