The forest awaits. And the vistas, the bare rock, the hidden game trails. Grenland awaits.
Awaits you!
The forest awaits, for you to guard it. With all of your sweat and suffering, with pride, and with love.
But we are rangers together. We are part of a community. And together, we are part of something bigger. Which is just as much about being there for our fellow rangers.
Hope to see you, May 2nd 2026!
Date May 2nd, 2026
Start time: 05 AM
Start/finish Porsgrunn – rådhustrappa (map)
Registration
Racetracker (Open)
Skogvokteren 88k, single entry
Number of spots: 225
Entry fee: 800,- NOK (increases Jan 1st 2026 and Apr 1st 2026.)
Entry fee includes*: Electronic timing and tracking, five aid stations with food/drink, on-side medic and medal to all finishers.
Mixed Team Relay
Number of spots (teams): 25
Entry fee: 2750,- (increases Jan 1st. 2026)
Entry fee includes*: Electronic timing and tracking, five aid stations with food/drink, on-side medic and medal to all finishers.
More info on Skogvokteren Mixed Team Relay
Accomodations? 15 % discount at Comfort Hotel Porsgrunn (link)
About the course
– 88 km
– 3500 meters elevation gain
– 80% trail
– 20% gravel/asphalt
– Three municipalities, two cities, and five forests.
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.
Read 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 (Tobias, 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/Cut-off
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). To make sure everyone gets through safely, the denoted cut-off times must be met.
- CP1 Jarseng 11k: Water Station
Water, juice
No cut-off - CP2 Solvika 32k: Food Station
Water, juice, cola, potato chips, fruit, flatbreads
Cut-off: 7 hours (12.00 PM) - CP3 Bliva 50k: Food Station
Water, juice, cola, potato chips, fruit, flatbreads
Cut-off: 10 hours (3.00 PM) - CP4 Løveid 72k: Food Station
Water, juice, cola, potato chips, fruit, flatbreads
Cut-off: 15 hours (8.00 PM) - CP5 VoldsvegenP 80k: Food Station
Water, juice, cola, potato chips, fruit, flatbreads
Cut-off: 17 hours (10.00 PM) - Finish line Porsgrunn 88k:
Water, soda, non-alcoholic beer, vegetable soup
Cut-off: 19 hours (0.00 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 1st.
5:00 PM – 7.00 PM: Bib handout (venue to be announced)
Saturday May 2nd.
4.00 AM – 04.45 AM: Handout of GPS-trackers. Baggage can be stored safely at start/finish. Delivery of Drop bag, which is transported to CP3 Bliva 50k and returned to the finish after the race. Access to toilets and water.
5.00 AM: START at Rådhustrappa (address Storgata 162, Porsgrunn).
2.00 PM – 0.00 AM: Runners arriving the finish at Rådhustrappa receives a medal, and food/drink. Award ceremony for top three in the women and mens categories 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.
Accomodations
Comfort Hotel Porsgrunn is a short sprint away from start/finish, and offers 15% discount for participants of Skogvokteren Ultra.
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).
