Fjord festival, mountain magic

‘The Emperor’ Haile Gebrselassie participated in 2011, 2012 and 2013 and commented: “It’s a fantastic run in unique and beautiful countryside; a run with challenges for both top-level runners and amateurs; a run I can recommend to everyone.”

KnarvikMila offers a series of running and cultural events during late August and early September. It is the most impressionistic autumn adventure in Norway. It is a festival that gathers people together but the most pleasing thing is the effect it has on participants for the rest of the year.

KnarvikMila has something for everyone, regardless of age or fitness level. You can run, jog or walk in beautiful natural surroundings and enjoy fjords and mountains in an atmosphere that lingers long in the memory.

FjordViking is a concept covering three running events run on one day after the other. The Knarvik Xtrem is on Friday – an extremely challenging mountain race over 11km of mixed terrain. On Saturday there is a 10km road race – not the easiest but among Norway’s finest and as the original Knarvikmila with 35 years of history behind it. The final race is Sunday’s Fjord Norway Half Marathon. You can expect outstanding scenery throughout the race. Starting from Knarvik Stadium the run includes two scenic bridges; Hagelsundbrua and Nordhordlandsbrua.

The Great Fjord Run has several individual distances to choose from. Knarvik Xtrem offers a 5km option as well as the11 km distance. There is also a 5km alternative to the Saturday road run as well as a corporate or club-team relay with five stages of a kilometre each. Sunday is the big family day with children’s runs and “NaturMila” – a popular run around the pleasant rural pathways near Knarvik Stadium as well as the Half Marathon. KnarvikMila weekend includes the “KnarvikMessa” – the race expo where runners pick up their bib numbers.

There is constant activity at the finishing area at Knarvik Stadium. Speakers inform and advise and performers entertain from the stage. On Sunday awards are made to the race winners and there is a prize draw from among the start numbers. In total KnarvikMila gives away prizes worth over $130,000.

Knarvik is 25 minutes’ drive north of Bergen. The region offers scenic mountains and awesome coastal landscapes. Bergen is an international city crammed with history blending nature, culture and stimulating city activities all year round.

Round-trip Fjord tours use public transport such as trains, boats and buses to allow you to experience the magnificent fjords and surrounding areas in a comfortable and environmentally responsible way. A flexible ticket allows you to stop anywhere and enjoy extra days wherever you wish. There is no guide on Fjord Tours trips. The trips are primarily tailored for individual travellers, but group tours can be arranged on request. Two of the most renowned journeys are “Norway in a Nutshell®” and the “Fjord Pass®”. See: www.fjordtours.com/no

Picturesque Flåm is located at the inner point of a channel off the world’s deepest and second longest fjord; the 204km long and 1308m deep Sognefjord. Surrounded by steep mountains, rushing waterfalls and slender valleys, this area is the epitome of the unique and remarkable wonders of Norwegian nature. Good transport connections make Flåm an excellent base from which to explore the area. See: www.visitflam.com

The Fløibanen funicular is a track and pulley cable car which transports you up to Fløyen. The lower station is at Vetrlidsalmenningen in the centre of Bergen just 150m from the Fish Market and Bryggen wharf. The funicular journey is an attraction in itself and from Bergen centre to the upper station takes just 5–6 minutes. The lookout point at Fløyen is 320m above sea level and provides spectacular panoramic views over Bergen.
See: www.floyen.no/floibanen

The event’s hotel sponsor Thon Hotels offers a special rate at the Thon Hotel Orion, Thon Hotel Bristol and Thon Hotel Rosenkrantz – all centrally located and within short walking distance of bus services to Knarvik. See: www.thonhotels.no