Birkebeinerrennet 2026: Skating Race Delayed by Two Hours – Here's the Latest

It's one of the truly iconic days in Norwegian winter sports, but this year the Birkebeinerrennet threw up a little extra challenge even before the starting gun went off. The skating race, scheduled for today, has been delayed by two hours. This was confirmed by the organisers 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 race, when heavy snowfall caused chaos, and 2016, when the extreme cold created problems. But this year, a different weather phenomenon is calling the shots.

New Start Time and Safety First

The roughly 3,000 entrants for the skating 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. Track crews are working flat out to groom the trails again, and participant safety is obviously the top priority. There's no drama here, mind you – just plain 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 Unaffected in Rena Despite Delay

In Rena, however, the atmosphere remains undampened. Campervans are packed closely together, and people have lit fires and are brewing coffee. For many, this is the highlight of their year. A guy from Tromsø I chatted with smiled knowingly: "I've been waiting two years for this. An extra two hours is no big deal, just gives me more time to fill up on coffee and really get my head in the game." It's that attitude we love about this race – whether it's classic or skating, and whether the clock is ticking or not.

• The Skating Race (Skøytebirken): New start time 11.30 AM from Rena.
• The Classic Race: Going ahead as planned tomorrow morning.
• Trail Conditions Right Now: Soft, fresh snow at the start, but conditions improve as the trail climbs.
• Top Tip for Participants: Don't stress, soak up the atmosphere, and conserve your energy.

A Reminder of the Race's Storied History

For those of us who have followed the Birkebeinerrennet for years, days like this remind us why we love this race. In 2015, it was extreme amounts of snow that defined the event, in 2016 it was bitterly cold temperatures. Both years, people still showed up, and both years became memorable editions. This year's edition looks set to follow that path: Challenges create the best stories. When the skaters finally get going late this morning, it'll be a party from start to finish, guaranteed. The Birkebeinerrennet is, after all, 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 an eye on the trail and will update you with the latest news throughout the day. For now, we're just looking forward to seeing the first skaters disappear into the forest towards Mjøsa. Birkebeinerrennet 2026 is underway – delayed, but most definitely underway!