Veteran: Bjørn Kåre Gjerde, 59 years
Bjørn Kåre Gjerde is one of the super veterans in the Oslo Marathon. This running season he has had major problems with a strain injury, and has therefore trained relatively little. There has been a lot of training on roller skis this year, but due to too little running training he had problems at the end of the marathon course. Despite this, the race did not go so badly for the veteran. Gjerde hopes he will get rid of the injury during the ski season, so that he can train better for the Oslo Marathon 2016.
Before this year's race, we talked to Bjørn Kåre Gjerde about his experience through the many years he has participated in the Oslo Marathon.
Where were you born and where do you come from?
I come from Omarstrand in Hardanger, Western Norway, but have lived in Oslo since the 70s.
How many times have you participated in the Oslo Marathon?
I have participated all the times a full marathon has been arranged in the Oslo Marathon. I made my debut as a marathon runner the first time the race was held, in 1981.
How many full marathons have you run in total?
388.
Do you have a memory from the Oslo Marathon that you remember particularly well?
The first race. I remember very well because it was the first marathon I ever participated in. I remember my first and last race, always.
The first race, excited? How did it go?
It went relatively well, I had a time of 2.46 I mean, was young and active at the time. I remember it was a oppressive heat,
What is the motivation to keep running?
In general to keep me in shape, right in Oslo to keep the record series going for as long as possible, I am the only one who has run all the full marathons here.
If you have to describe the Oslo Marathon briefly?
Good atmosphere in the city, the audience supports the runners, but I miss getting to the finish line at Bislett.
Have you set a goal and time for this year?
Very unsure, because I have had some injury problems, but hope to get in at under 3.20 this year. A little more modest than before.
