- I would like to go myself.

This year, the women will do the 50km race for the first time, a race that has long been reserved for men. Therese Johaug has done the shorter 30km race in Holmenkollen several times.

"I'd really like to do it myself, it's the first 50km race in "Kollen"," says Therese Johaug excitedly.

Many would probably have cheered for Johaug if she had done the 50km race.
Photo: Holmenkollen Skifestival/Jacques Holst

Historical

The first time women will compete in the 50km race will be in Holmenkollen, three days after International Women's Day. On Sunday 12 March, during the World Cup in Holmenkollen, women will, for the first time in the world, compete in the infamous 50km race. This will be historic.  Therese Johaug is positive about the new distance rules and is looking forward to seeing the women do the 50km race.

-"It will be very exciting, it will be a completely different race. It's a very tough course. It will be exciting to see how the women solve it," says Therese Johaug.

See the programme here.

Disagreements

Not everyone is equally positive about the new distance rules. Several athletes have expressed dissatisfaction and concern that longer distances may lead to greater distances on the field. Some also claim that women had spent so much time that the audience had not bothered to watch.

-"Of course, the longer the better for me, but then I'd get a lot of criticism afterwards for ruining the sport and making it boring for the audience to watch," says Therese Johaug.

Tickets for the historic race can be found here. The race starts on Sunday 12 March at 10.15.

Testing 50km

To mark the historic event, the internship students in Holmenkollen Skifestival, Bassa Dulo (26) and Jeanette Christiansen (26), will test the same course as the women will walk. The girls will race 50km on the same course in Holmenkollen and document their journey in the "50km" series on social media. Therese Johaug is a little sceptical, but still convinced that the girls can manage the project.

-You can do it! It's all in your head. If you really want to, you can ski 50km. But I think it's good to practice a bit first, says Therese Johaug encouragingly. And then she adds: "You're going to spend many hours, so good luck! Bring a packed lunch and a tent, she laughs.

During the 50km race, the girls will practice skiing techniques, get an introduction to equipment and learn more about the history of the 50km from experts and cross-country skiers. Follow them on their journey and follow Holmenkollen Skifestival on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.