My Personal Top of the Craziest Sports Events in Norway
This is my personal list of the craziest sports events in Norway, and I hope to take part in at least some of them during my lifetime.
📌 TL;DR
Norway is known for its breathtaking natural landscapes and passion for extreme sports. In this post, I’ve put together my personal list of the most exciting and craziest sporting events I’d love to try. It’s my own top list — and I hope to take on at least some of these challenges in my lifetime.
Extreme Challenges
🏊♂️🚴♂️🏃♂️ 1. Norseman
One of the most extreme triathlons in the world, Norseman includes swimming in a cold fjord, cycling through steep mountain roads, and finishing the race with a run to the summit of Gaustatoppen. It’s a true challenge that almost every triathlete dreams of.
What makes this race unique is the lack of traditional aid stations along the course. Each athlete must have their own support crew that provides food, hydration, and technical help throughout the event.
Every year, I follow the journeys of amateur triathletes preparing for and competing in this race. Despite the rise of similar events, Norseman is still seen as the most extreme and prestigious triathlon out there. For me, participating in Norseman is on my bucket list — a once-in-a-lifetime experience that demands serious and thorough preparation.
🏃♂️ 2. Bislett24
A 24-hour race held at Bislett Stadium in Oslo — a true test of endurance and mental strength.
The winner is simply the one who runs the farthest distance within 24 hours.
My wife calls it the “hamster race”, because you’re literally running in circles — in a basement. In 2021, I closely followed Allan Hovda, who won the race by running nearly 265 km. He was hospitalized in the final hour with kidney failure — a dramatic ending that made me think: “Wow… what an incredible event!”
In May 2022, I even managed to secure a slot — registration filled up in under 20 minutes. But by September, I realized I wasn’t mentally ready for such an intense challenge (so I successfully sold my spot to another athlete). Looking back, I think for an amateur, Bislett24 is almost a guaranteed injury. Still, it remains an unforgettable adventure — and it continues to pull me in.
🏃♂️ 3. Ekeberg Ultra Backyard
A race in the last person standing format: every hour, participants run a 6.7 km loop — until only one runner remains.
The unique twist is that only one person finishes the race. Everyone else gets a DNF (“Did Not Finish”). I think it’s a relatively safe way to push your limits, but I’d still recommend doing at least 2–3 marathons beforehand. That experience will help you understand how your body responds to long, continuous stress.
In 2025, the winner was Harald Bjerke (51 years old at the time), who completed 37 loops for a total of 248 km. Each loop starts exactly one hour after the previous one — which means Harald stayed awake for 37 hours, running 6.7 km each time without proper rest (Strava route).
Personally, I see this format as a fantastic way to test both your physical and mental boundaries — and I definitely plan to sign up next year.
🏃♂️ 4. Oslo – Bergen Ultra Run
An ultramarathon between Norway’s two largest cities. It’s madness — I honestly have no other word for it.
Participants can cover the distance either solo or in teams of two. The event isn’t held every year, participation is limited, and entry requires a thorough health screening.
The race takes 8–9 days to complete, covering a total distance of around 500 km. In my opinion, it’s absolute insanity to put your body through that kind of strain for several days in a row. Still, the scale and ambition of this event are undeniably impressive.
🚴♂️ 5. Styrkeprøven Trondheim – Oslo
A cycling race with a route that changes slightly every year. The distance is usually over 500 km, with around 4,000 meters of elevation gain — and the entire course must be completed in one go, without sleep.
Taking part in this kind of event is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It demands incredible endurance and serious preparation. The best way to take it on is with friends, colleagues, or a cycling club — people who can support you not just physically, but mentally too.
I still dream of doing this race one day — but I know for sure I wouldn’t dare to take it on alone.
🚴♂️ 6. Jotunheimen Rundt (I participated)
A cycling race around the Jotunheimen National Park. The route stays the same every year (because there are literally no alternative roads): 430 km with about 5,000 meters of elevation gain — making it one of the most beautiful and toughest rides in Norway.
I took part in the race in 2023 and finished in 18 hours and 29 minutes. The start time was 21:20.
The main challenges were temperature swings, unpredictable weather, strong winds, and of course, traffic and other cyclists. It’s hard for me to describe the experience as purely “fun” — but those 18 hours are something I’ll never forget.
🏃♂️ 7. Lofoten Ultra-Trail (100 miles)
An epic trail run across the stunning Lofoten Islands — known not only for their breathtaking views, but also for the extremely tough natural conditions.
It’s a deeply appealing event that I’d love to take part in someday. However, it requires serious training — and probably some lifestyle changes — to make sure you don’t harm your health during the race.
Cultural Events
Some sports events in Norway go beyond competition — they reflect the country’s cultural heritage. Over the years, I’ve made it a point to take part in each of them, as they hold special symbolic meaning for me. Every one of these is a true celebration of sport and Norwegian culture!
- 🎿 Birkebeinerrennet (54 km) — a legendary cross-country ski race with deep historical roots, running from Rena to Lillehammer. I participated in 2023 and was lucky with the weather.
- 🎿 Skarverennet — a classic ski race that marks the end of the winter season, attracting thousands of participants every year. I took part in 2023.
- 🏃♂️ Oslo BMW Marathon — Norway’s most popular marathon, taking runners through the scenic streets and landmarks of the capital. I also ran it in 2023.
- 🏃♂️ Besseggløpet (14 km) — a stunning trail run along the famous Besseggen hiking route, featuring breathtaking views and around 1,100 meters of elevation gain. My plan for 2025.
- 🏃♂️ Birken Ultra Løp (60 km) and Birken Fjellmaraton — summer trail races in Lillehammer. Epic, scenic, and truly unique. Distances range from 5 to 60 km. I completed the marathon in 2023 and the 60 km ultra in 2024.
Useful Links
- Kondis – Event calendar and aggregator for sports in Norway
- Oslo Dawn Patrol – The best cycling community in Oslo