The time of 1:08:43 in Copenhagen left the running world stunned and gave Therese Johaug a taste for more. But not everyone is equally enthusiastic about the ski star’s new plans.

On Sunday, Therese Johaug ran the best European time at the Copenhagen Half Marathon. The 38-year-old, who became a mother for the second time this winter, clocked 1:08:43, well inside her own goal of 1:10.

Johaug was the fastest European woman in the race, and is now also the fourth-fastest Norwegian woman of all time over the distance. Only Karoline Grøvdal (1:06:55 in 2024), Ingrid Kristiansen (1:06:40 in 1987, unofficial) and Grete Waitz (1:07:50 in 1982) have run faster.

The winning time at this year’s World Championships was 1:05:15 and belongs to Agnes Jebet Ngetich of Kenya. Johaug’s time would have been good enough for 19th place in the World Championship field. The World Record is 1:02:52.

Read More on Langrenn.com – Now Johaug is Europe’s fastest: “Now I can come home to Norway with my honor intact”

Hints at a new major venture

The circumstances make the feat no smaller. After several wins and highs through the spring and early summer, the final weeks of her build-up were marked by injuries, setbacks and constant changes to her training program. Only days before the race, Johaug was unsure whether she could even start.

In the wake of the Copenhagen Half Marathon, the 38-year-old has hinted at a new major commitment to running.

“I have very good capacity, so I could hold the pace I ran in this half marathon for quite a long time. That’s my advantage when it comes to a marathon. But I lack the muscular robustness for a marathon. I’m definitely going to give the marathon a try. Try to run fast and put in an effort like I did for this half marathon,” Johaug tells VG.

Strong warning

Now several people are sounding the alarm.

Running star Ingrid Kristiansen is one of them. The 70-year-old is one of three women with a faster half marathon time than Johaug. Kristiansen also holds the Norwegian marathon record: 2:21:06, set more than 40 years ago (London Marathon 1985).

“A high oxygen uptake alone isn’t enough. There are a lot of Norwegian runners who have a high oxygen uptake but don’t run that fast in the marathon. Skiers think a lot about high oxygen uptake, and a certain level of oxygen uptake is important in the marathon, but it isn’t enough,” says Kristiansen.

Better chances at the World Ski Championships

Sports commentator Ernst Lersveen of Nettavisen is in no doubt.

“Personally, I would rather have seen Therese Johaug make another ‘comeback’ in cross-country skiing. With a more wholehearted commitment than ahead of the World Championships in Trondheim, the chance is there for gold in the 50km in Falun this winter,” he says, and continues:

“It’s just a matter of a few months of ruthless prioritization.”

The World Championships in Falun take place from February 22 to March 7, 2027.

Also Read: FIS unveils 2026/2027 cross-country skiing World Cup calendar

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