The course manager's clear speech:
«Fast tracks in the Danske Bank Oslo Marathon»
The tracks for the Danske Bank Oslo Marathon 2015 are ready. Only small changes have been made from previous years, and course manager Tim Bennett has been out and measured all distances. Bennett believes that the Danske Bank Oslo Marathon offers fast and relatively easy trails, but that it still costs effort.
-First out Saturday morning is Racing Wheelchair in a separate 10 km trail. This is a flat and nice trail adapted to the participants, and here it goes fast, says Bennett.
-Kl. 09.30 is the start for the marathon runners. Over 3,200 people are registered for this distance. Marathon participants will run twice the half marathon round which is not one of the most demanding marathon runs. And some of the flattest that is possible to achieve in Oslo. Nevertheless, the trail must not be underestimated. It costs effort, says Bennett.
Furthermore, Bennett continues with a review of the route's most important milestones.
-The start is at Rådhusplassen with a gentle ascent in the direction of Skøyen through Frogner and the embassy district along Drammensveien. When the runners arrive at Skøyen, a good number of flat kilometers follow along Frogner beach towards Tjuvholmen and Aker Brygge. Then the runners continue over Rådhusplassen along the sea side and further out Akershusstranda. Here it is also flat and nice. From Skøyen and along the sea side, the trail runs mostly where the new harbor promenade to Oslo is located. With its orange-colored containers as an information point, the harbor promenade is easily visible, Bennett believes.
-Then it runs into Kongensgt, with Akershus fortress on both sides. Down Rådhusgata, into Kirkegt and down Grev Wedels plass. No significant difficulties here, and apart from the turns, this is an easy-to-run trail. Further along Langkaia, away Dronning Eufemias gate, Oslo's new parade street, which is also straight, flat and nice. Then the trip goes out towards Sørenga and Grønlia, along Kong Håkon 5's gt. On the way out here, Oslo's new sea bath can be seen if you have time to enjoy the view, says Bennett.
The turning point of the trail is at Bring's container port out on Grønlia, through which it is run.
-From Grønlia, the trail goes back to Dronning Eufemias gate, before the runners turn up on Nylandsveien. Here comes the distance's first real climb, which can be a little tired in headwinds. But it is only a matter of a few 100 meters before it goes down and in the direction of Jens Bjelkes gate and Tøyen. At Tøyen probably comes the worst kneika, up to the Botanical Garden. The reward is a nice downhill on the other side of the Botanical Garden, and here you just have to let your legs run, Bennett recommends.
-Then the trail goes back the same way, again in the direction of Dronning Eufemias gate. Across Nylandsveien again, which is easier in this direction. Enter Dronning Eufemias gate, then left into Langkaia. The runners follow this to Grev Wedel's place, before they run into Skippergata. Then there is a little "quarter run" before the participants finally get into Karl Johan at the top of Kirkeristen. They continue up Karl Johan to Egertorget and down past Grand Hotell before turning left into Rosenkrantzgt. Here it is just over 1 km to the finish of both full and half, and it is run further up the side of the Storting, through the tram passage and down Prinsensgt. Then they take Kongensgt, turn right into Rådhusgt and up to Christiania square, from here it is nice downhill to Rådhusplassen and finish. The half marathon participants can celebrate their own achievements here, while the marathon runners continue with the exact same round again, says Bennett.
"10 for Grete" is run in the route to the half marathon. This distance also starts at Rådhusplassen, but now the participants run directly east. Here they continue in the half marathon course, out Dronning Eufemias gate and past Sørenga. After turning, the participants run back towards the square, without the part that goes towards Tøyen. This makes the trail very flat and nice, and it is a fast 10 km trail, according to trail manager Bennett.
-This weekend there will be reduced traffic in the city of Oslo, and some areas will be blocked for entry and exit in periods. It is therefore important that the city's residents note the date of the event. Heavily affected areas will receive their own information from the organizer.
For the same reason, Bennett also recommends public transport, and primarily trains and subways to the city center on Saturday.
-Most runners pull to the longest distances, but in addition to these, Danske Bank Oslo Marathon also arranges the distance "3 for everyone" on Friday afternoon. The children's marathon and a new distance - the Oslo triple - of 73 km will be arranged on Saturday. The participants in the latter distance run a marathon, a half marathon and finish with 10 km. Here, everyone should find something that suits their own ambitions and goals, and it is still possible to re-register at some of the distances, concludes
trail manager Bennett.
Photo: Trail manager Tim Bennett.
