Birkebeinerrittet takes place on Sat, Aug 28, 2027 in Rena, Norway. The main route is 84 km.
- Date
- Sat, Aug 28, 2027
- Start
- Rena 🇳🇴
- Distance
- 84 km
- Climbing
- 1,250 m
- Level
- Open to all
Birkebeinerrittet is an iconic 84 km mountain bike race across the mountains from Rena to Lillehammer.
Official event pageWhat this race demands
Birkebeinerrittet demands sustained mountain biking capability over an 84-kilometer point-to-point course with 1,250 meters of climbing. Athletes must manage a long effort across mountainous terrain from Rena to Lillehammer.
Endurance Capacity
The 84-kilometer distance requires an aerobic engine capable of sustaining effort for several hours in the saddle. Pacing is critical to avoid fatigue before reaching Lillehammer.
Climbing Efficiency
Accumulating 1,250 meters of elevation gain across the mountain route demands consistent climbing strength. Riders need efficient power transfer on sustained inclines.
Target 60 to 90 grams of carbohydrates per hour to sustain energy output across the multi-hour duration of the race.
What would it take you?
Pick the level closest to yours for an estimate of finish time on this course and the training a solid preparation needs.
Estimated finish
3:25–4:10
Peak-week training
6–8 h/week
A model estimate from distance, climbing and level, not a promise. Conditions, drafting and pacing move it.
IntervalCoach turns those weekly hours into a concrete plan built around your actual fitness. Start with this race as your goal
Your road to race day
Race day at Birkebeinerrittet is 53 weeks away. This is how a coach divides that time. The first phase starts now.
01Base41 weeks · Aug 23, 2026 – Jun 5, 2027
Aerobic foundation: mostly steady endurance work that grows the aerobic engine and the durability the later phases stand on.
02Build6 weeks · Jun 6, 2027 – Jul 17, 2027
Progressive overload: training load climbs in waves, with harder weeks stacked on the base and planned recovery weeks that let the gains land.
03Peak3 weeks · Jul 18, 2027 – Aug 7, 2027
The hardest weeks of the plan: race-specific intensity at nearly full training load, sharpening exactly what this race asks for.
04Taper2 weeks · Aug 8, 2027 – Aug 21, 2027
Volume drops while intensity stays: short, sharp efforts keep the legs awake as fatigue drains away.
05Race week1 week · Aug 22, 2027 – Aug 28, 2027
Openers, rest and logistics. The work is done; the job now is arriving fresh.
Similar races
Organising this race?