Do you feel strong? Skogvokteren Ultra is the race to test your capabilities and boundaries together with a bunch of likeminded souls. Do you feel that this is a bit beyond your capabilities at the moment? Then there’s no better goal to set for yourself and to work towards than Skogvokteren, beginning of May 2025.
You will find surprisingly technical trails, and surprisingly good views, and you feel like being in the wilderness although the cities of Skien and Porsgrunn are close by. And if our mascot Henrik Ibsen had it his way, he would have chosen May. At this time, the entire forest and all of its inhabitats is in full propagation mode. New life is being created around every turn, and you have to work to avoid stepping on forest birds, badgers, beavers and toads.
We hope to see you on the starting line saturday May 3rd, to celebrate your training and our 5 year anniversary!
Still low-key, unmarked, and 100% trail magic. It’s going to be awesome!
Date: May 3rd, 2025
Start time: 05 AM
Start/finish: Porsgrunn – rådhustrappa (link)
Register: Racetracker (opens Oct. 15th, 2024, 12 AM).
Number of spots: 200
Entry fee: 750,- NOK (increases Jan. 1st, 2025 and Apr. 1st, 2025)
Entry fee includes: Electronic timing and tracking, five aid stations with food/drink, on-site medic and medal to all finishers.
Skogvokteren_feature from stripemedia on Vimeo.
About the Course
- 88 km
- 3500 meters elevation gain
- 80% trail
- 20% gravel/asphalt
- Three municipalities, two cities, and five urban parks!
Detailed course description and GPX-file (subject to change!)
The Skogvokteren route connects Grenland’s two largest cities in a green, winding oval, from bustling city streets to narrow paths carved out by small game and hikers in hilly countryside. It’s like taking a mix of varied and exciting nature and geology, adding in a touch of magical trail network, resulting in a blend worthy of five stars. At least.
For the observant eye, there’s plenty to take in along the way, either to soak in the overall experience while playfully bounding along or to pass the time when it gets tough. And if you’re like me, completely immersed in nature, it’s even easy to forget you’re running at all. The trails change with every kilometer you cover: from wide pine root paths with and without sharp rocks, to narrow blueberry trails for those with long socks, via fully cushioned marsh flats, over dry ridges with moss and heather, down deceitful clay slopes, and through eerie old forests untouched by machinery. Here and there, we see traces of those who walked here long before us. Where the paths curve up on the sides, horses and traders once carried heavy loads, centuries before Tesla and the Norwegian Trekking Association. There are abandoned homesteads, ruins, mine workings, and war memorials. It’s a journey worthy of the National Heritage Board’s attention. Just from Vallermyrene to Vealøs, you’ll experience more of Norway’s unique nature on a run than most people read about on their phones in a year. And then you’re only a third of the way there, rejoice!
The route is composed by Tobias Dahl Fenre and his little helpers at Grenland Ultra Runners, and we are proud and humbled to showcase it to as many people as possible! The coalition with Gjerpen IF continues, and together, we will make sure to accommodate you and ensure that the experience is great from the organizer’s side.
Rules
The course is unmarked, and participants must run with a loaded GPX file on, for example, their watch. The course must be followed at all times. The minimum age limit is set at 18 years. The race style is supported, but receiving support is only allowed at the race’s official checkpoints. Pacing is not permitted. Registration is binding, and the entry fee is non-refundable. Littering on the course is prohibited. All mandatory equipment must be carried from start to finish.
Learn more in «rules and regulations»
Mandatory Gear
- GPS device with the course loaded (watch is acceptable)
- Running backpack/vest
- Water containers holding at least 1.5 liters
- Top and bottom in wool or technical fabric (super)
- Buff
- Headlamp
- Reflective vest (to be worn in the dark)
- Cup (a drinking bottle counts as a cup, use this at the stations)
- Phone, fully charged and switched on, with the race director’s number saved (952 34 517)
- Basic first aid kit (e.g., band-aids, sterile compress, gauze)
- Emergency blanket
Recommended Gear
- Windbreaker
- Gloves and hat
Checkpoints/Aid stations
Water can be found in several locations in the terrain, in streams running fresh in the forest away from grazing areas. The map on Alltrails indicates 5 well-known and strategically placed drinking spots. At our five stations in addition to the finish line, we can offer the following (remember your cup):
- CP1 Jarseng 11k: Water Station
Water, juice - CP2 Solvika 32k: Food Station
Water, juice, cola, potato chips, fruit, flatbreads - CP3 Bliva 50k: Food Station
Water, juice, cola, potato chips, fruit, flatbreads - CP4 Løveid 72k: Food Station
Water, juice, cola, potato chips, fruit, flatbreads - CP5 VoldsvegenP 80k: Food Station
Water, juice, cola, potato chips, fruit, flatbreads - Finish line Porsgrunn 88k:
Water, soda, non-alcoholic beer, vegetable soup
Cut-off Times
To ensure a safe and responsible journey through the forest, you must reach the following checkpoints within the deadline.
- CP2 Solvika 32k:
Cut-off: 7 hours (12:00 PM) - CP3 Bliva 50k:
Cut-off: 10 hours (3:00 PM) - CP4 Løveid 72k:
Cut-off: 16 hours (9:00 PM) - CP5 VoldsvegenP 80k:
Cut-off: 18 hours (11:00 PM) - Finish line Porsgrunn 88k:
Cut-off: 20 hours (1:00 AM)
Drop Bag
You can drop off a bag at the start, which will be transported to CP3 Bliva 50k.
Program (more details to come)
Friday, May 2nd
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM: Bib handout at Sport1 Porsgrunn, Kulltangveien 70 (Down Town shopping center).
Saturday, May 3rd
4:00 AM – 4:45 AM: Distribution of GPS trackers. Drop-off of baggage at Tollboden Sportsbar. Opportunity for drop bag delivery, which will be transported to CP3 Bliva 50k. There will be access to toilets and water.
5:00 AM: START at Rådhustrappa (address Storgata 162).
2:00 PM – 1:00 AM: Runners finish at Rådhustrappa and receive medals. Vegetable soup and beverages will be served in the outdoor area near Tollboden Sportsbar. In case of bad weather, there will be access to indoor areas. Distribution of awards for top three men and women will be as soon as they finish (estimated 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM).
Parking
Start and finish are at Rådhusamfiet/Anders Vangens plass in Porsgrunn, with address Storgata 162. There are several street parking options in downtown Porsgrunn, see e.g., the Easy-park app. Most of these have a 2-hour limit. The best places to park are Gamle Urædd and Kjølnes. Parking here is free.
Overnatting
Comfort Hotel Porsgrunn is just a short sprint away from the start/finish.
ITRA (International Trail Running Association) provides scores and maintains statistics for all registered ultramarathons, assigning a score to each runner based on their results. As in previous years, we are pleased to offer 4 ITRA points upon completion of Skogvokteren 2025.
Read more about the race on ITRA’s own website (link)
UTMB (Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc) has become the leading platform for runner statistics and personal scores. Skogvokteren 2025 is formally recognized as a UTMB Index Race in the 100K category.
Read more about the race on UTMB’s own website (link).
