Finnmarksløpet
Finnmarksløpet is a long distance sled dog race organized every year since 1981 in Finnmark, Norway. Finnmarksløpet is the longest sled race in Europe.
History
The first Finnmarksløpet was hosted in 1981 with only one "open" class and a total of three teams entering the first race. Over the years, the race has experienced substantial growth, both in terms of participants and audience. In 1985, a second "limited" class was introduced. By 1992, the race distance was extended to, with the open class setting a maximum of 12 dogs, while the limited class was restricted to 8-dog and a distance of. In 2000, the open class was expanded further to include up to 14 dogs, and the limited class distance was reduced to. In 2018, the open class was further extended to its current length at, making Finnmarksløpet the longest sled dog race in Europe and the second longest sled race in the world. A junior class open to mushers 14 to 18 years of age has also been added, with a distance of. The 2021 race was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2025, the open class was shortened to due to warm weather and parts of the course not sufficiently freezing.Race
All classes begin in Alta before crossing Norway's largest plateau, Finnmarksvidda. The open class proceeds to Kirkenes and then turning back to Alta. The limited class heads to first Kautokeino and then Levajok, a hamlet near Tana before heading back to Alta.Participants in Finnmarksløpet come from all over Europe. To participate in the open class, participants must have previously completed the Finnmarksløpet in limited class, Femundløpet, Bergebyløpet N70, Gold Rush Run 501 or another race at least in length in the past five years. Roger Dahl is the oldest participant, completing the Finnmarksløpet for the 28th time in 2025 at the age of 73. Harsh weather conditions are common on Finnmarksvidda which has a subarctic climate with the coldest winter temperatures in Norway.
Open Class
Daily stages, totaling 1243 km- Stage 1 : Alta – Kautokeino, 168 km
- Stage 2 : Kautokeino – Jergul, 101 km
- Stage 3 : Jergul – Levajok, 122 km
- Stage 4 : Levajok – Tana, 100 km
- Stage 5 : Tana – Neiden, 100 km
- Stage 6 : Neiden – Övre Pasvik, 78 km
- Stage 7 : Övre Pasvik – Kirkenes, 86 km
- Stage 8 : Kirkenes - Neiden, 71 km
- Stage 9 : Neiden – Varangerbotn, 82 km
- Stage 10 : Varangerbotn – Levajok, 70 km
- Stage 11: Levajok – Karasjok, 83 km
- Stage 12: Karasjok – Jotka, 82 km
- Stage 13: Jotka – Alta, 49 km
Limited Class
Daily stages, totalling 609 km- Stage 1: Alta – Kautokeino, 168 km
- Stage 2: Kautokeino – Jergul, 100 km
- Stage 3: Jergul – Levajok, 127 km
- Stage 4: Levajok – Karasjok, 83 km
- Stage 5: Karasjok – Jotka, 82 km
- Stage 6: Jotka – Alta 49 km