Årefjällsloppet
Årefjällsloppet is a ski marathon in Jämtland in Sweden , which is run over distances of 75 km and 35 km in classic technique. The 75 km route leads from Vallbo via Vålådalen , Ottsjö, Edsåsdalen and Duved to Åre . The shorter route joins the competition trail at Edsåsdalen and also has its destination in Åre. The 35 km run starts one day before the main run.
The 75 km run has been the final of the Ski Classics competition series since 2013 . Årefjällsloppet was the first larger ski marathon in which the women's elite group starts 15 minutes before the men's elite group and the main field start together, which changes the tactical situation for the women because they form their own top group and not like in other races “swim along” in the men's field. This media-friendly starting principle has now also been adopted by other ski races.
Development of the race
The impetus for organizing Årefjällsloppet came in 2012 when the final race of the Ski Classics racing series was moved from Norefjell in Norway to Vålådalen due to lack of snow .
Årefjällsloppet was first held on March 22nd and 23rd, 2013. In this race, 746 runners crossed the finish line on the long route and 284 on the short route. The main run was won by the brothers Anders Aukland and Jørgen Aukland , who crossed the finish line hand in hand, and Seraina Boner .
In 2014 the main run had to be shortened to 61 km due to lack of snow. The route started in Edsåsdalen and looped back to Edsåsdalen, from where it followed the original competition route to Åre. This race was won by Charlotte Kalla and Daniel Richardsson . There were 830 runners on the 61 km course and 374 runners on the 35 km course.
In 2015, due to insufficient snow conditions, the routes were shortened to 27 km and 47 km and the start and finish were relocated to Vålådalen. Seraina Boner and Petter Eliassen won the long distance . A total of 752 runners on the long route and 374 runners on the short route reached the finish.