Topic - Races: Norway - Troll
Ski Marathon
Date first posted on eCommunity - 16
July 2006
Run in classic style on the long-distance Troll
Loipe, the Troll Ski Marathon was first organised in 1994 and is now an
established part of the Norwegian racing calendar. It is actually
several races in one, with distances of 95km, 70km, 45km and 20km, all
finishing at Sjusjøen. It attracts skiers of all standards. For some
competitors the 95km race is the high-point of their season and they
gear the entire year's training towards it. At the other end of the
spectrum, many skiers just turn up on the day for the 20km and treat it
as a
satisfying fun run.
The 95km event – claimed to be the world's longest one-day ski race -
starts at Venabu, and follows the Troll Loipe to Sjusjøen, keeping at an
altitude between 850m and 1050m above sea level. From Venabu the first
25 km of the race take you across open mountains to
Øksendalen: this is the starting point for the 70 km version. From
Øksendalen the track descends into more forested areas, through which it
wends pleasantly to Goppollen: here the 45 km race starts. Then it goes
mainly over upland pasturelands for another 25 km to
Øyer Fjellstue: here the 20km race starts. From Øyer Fjellstue the route
goes past Pellestova and comes almost into Nordseter before climbing the
flank of Nordseter Fjell and then descending to the finish line at
Sjusjøen.
The best 95km time was set in 2002, when the winner finished in 4 hours
40 minutes and 45 seconds. Most participants will of course take very
much longer, but they have to keep focussed, for there is an overall
limit of 11 hours, and there are intermediate cut-offs,
too. If you don't make it to the 50km point within six hours, for
example, you will be asked to leave the race. If you do have to leave
the race you will be transported to the finish point in
Sjusjøen – though you will have to wait until a vehicle is available to
take you.
The race is jointly arranged by four local ski-clubs: Ringebu-Fåvang
Skiklubb, Øyer-Tretten IF, Søre Ål IL and Mesnali Skilag. And although
it attracts a fair sprinkling of foreign entrants it feels like a club
run. In 2006 a total of just 346 participants started the race, of whom
339 completed the course. As club runs go, it is a well organised event,
though some aspects are a bit rough and ready: there are few facilities
at any of the start points, and none at all
at some of them; return transport is unpredictable. But you do have the
definite and unmistakable feeling that the event is immensely important
to the local people - it is their race, on their loipe. And that alone
makes it a magical event.
REGISTRATION AND ARRANGEMENTS
If you go to www.trollski.no you can request the hardcopy information
leaflet, usually ready in late autumn. It is in Norwegian, but the entry
form is easily understandable. The entry fee for the 95km event in 2006
was NOK 600 if you entered before 1 March. This increased to NOK 800 if
you entered in March. If you waited until race day it would cost NOK
950.
You collect your start number at your start point on race morning. Those
who participate in the 95 km can, alternatively, get the start number at
Venabu Fjellhotell on the night before, and some participants make a
point of booking into Venabu (or nearby Spidsbergseter hotel) for the
eve of race night. This makes race morning a more relaxed experience for
them, but they then have the hassle of getting back to Venabu on the
evening of race day - there is transport back to Venabu, but it leaves
late in the day. A larger number of racers prefer to overnight in
Sjusjøen. They have the hassle of an early rise to catch the bus, but
once they reach the finish line in Sjusjøen they can relax.
SERVICE
Venabu Fjellhotell is race HQ and the transport buses will aim to have
everyone there an hour or more before the start. The hotel is quite
small and on race morning it is busy. In particular - as with all races
- there are not enough toilets, especially on the lower floor where race
HQ is; upstairs is better.
The race goes across a mountainous area, and security and safety are
important. The Red Cross patrol the course on snow scooters. All
participants are required to carry a sack containing emergency food,
drink and warm clothing. In practice most racers carry very small
backpacks with the bare minimum of kit. The race itself has 12 drink
stations, and the organisers promise that food will also be available at
four of them. In practice most of the drinks stations have some food –
even if it is only digestive biscuits or unbuttered pieces of bread
roll.
There are no waxing stations, so you need to be self-sufficient.
There are showers and changing facilities for all skiers after arrival at Sjusjøen. There is also a hot meal at Sjusjøen
Høyfjellshotell for all 95km and 70km competitors.
TRANSPORT
The race organisers arrange transportation from Sjusjøen to the various
starts on race morning. You must order transport at the time of
registration (and pay for it on the spot – the cost in 2006 was NOK 150
to all start points except Øyer Fjellstue, which was NOK 100). If you
are doing the 95km then your bus will leave Sjusjøen Høyfjellshotell at
05.00. It picks up at Håkons Hall in Lillehammer at about 05.20. Other
buses leave Sjusjøen Høyfjellshotell at 06.15 for those starting from
Øksendalen, at 07.45 for those starting from Goppollen, and at 10.30 for
those starting from Øyer Fjellstue. From your starting point you can
send your unwanted kit back Sjusjøen – if you want to do this bring a
sturdy bag and put your name on the label that you are given when you
collect your start number.
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