Tromsø Skyrace Course Record

A Race Report from the famous Skyrace that has attracted some of the worlds’ best Trail Runners.

The Tromsø Skyrace has become a world renowned Skyrace event and a staple in the Skyrunning calendar after being started by Kilian Jornet & Emilie Forsberg in 2014. The race takes runners through technical terrain in the stunning mountains surrounding Tromsø. This race report is detailing the Tromsdalstinden Skyrace distance, which is around 32km with 2200m of vertical ascent, with the highest point on the course being Tromsdalstinden which sits at 1238 meters.

In the 2023 edition, I finished first and set a new course record in the time of 2 hours 53 minutes 49 seconds ahead of notable competitor Eirik Haugsnes. The race combines steep climbs, technical descents, and breathtaking views over Tromsø and its fjords. Some top athletes from around the world have run this distance so it was a real pleasure to walk away with the course record on the last year.

Distance	Year	Result
Tromsdalstinden 32km, 2200m vert	2023	1st, Course Record
Tromsø Skyrace 58km, 4800m vert	2019	10th
Blåmann Vertikal	2019	8th
Bønntuva Skyrace 18km, 1000m vert	2017	1st
Blåmann Vertikal	2017	8th

Tromsø Skyrace Race Report

Trail Running Training leading up to the race

This race was in the middle of my base-building season for the coming Ski Mountaineering season. I didn’t do many specific workouts, but majority of my workouts was running on terrain from 5 – 30% steepness grade.

In terms of spesific pre-race preparation, I was comfortable with the course as I had run it before as part of the full Tromsø Skyrace. I did some long runs including parts of the course and was very comfortable with the terrain.

Tromsø Skyrace Start

I took place in the leading group from the start and ran with good control over Tromsø bridge and at a comfortably hard place up to Fjellheisen. By this point most of my competitors were dropped, but 2-3 athletes were still in the leading group. By the time we got to Fløya it was only Eirik Haugsnes that was still with me. I tried to run fast but controlled down Bønntuva and noticed that Haugsnes was working harder than me to keep up.

Climbing Tromsdalstinden

During the first steep climb up to Rødryggen I managed to gain a gap on Haugnses of 10 – 15 seconds, but he caught up to me on the flatter parts before the rockier ascent to the top started. Here we were running together and reached the top at around the same time.

The Descent and Technical Sections

The first rocky descent was a bit uncoordinated. I thought Tecton was a bad shoe choice and Haugsnes managed to run past me and managed to put in a gap of 15-20 seconds. When we reached smoother trails I pushed a little bit harder and caught up by the time we got to Tromsdalselva. On the climb from Svarthammeren to Fjellheisen I tried to push pretty hard and really tire Haugnes out. I could feel he was tiring and knew my chance would have to be to drop him on the way down from Fjellheisen.

Final Stages and finish in Tromsø

I went full maniac on the downhill from Fjellheisen via Juva. I ran with anything I had left across the bridge and crossed the line in 1st with a new course record.

Post-Race Reflection

This race was well executed on my behalf. I felt like I was running with control the whole way and it was really fun to fight with Eirik. I could have possibly ran faster, but being troubled with Haglunds Heels made it hard to go all out.

Thanks to Eirik Haugsnes for a great fight and Nikolai Segtnan. Congratulations to Yngvild Kaspersen on her new course record, and to the rest of the female podium Mirjam Saarheim og Frida Svendsen.