World Championships silver medalist Kristin Austgulen Fosnæs delivered a race in a class of its own and won Pinåsløpet by more than 15 minutes. The cross-country skiing star finished third overall – only beaten by two men.

Kristin Austgulen Fosnæs was in a league of her own at Pinåsløpet on Saturday morning. She won the eight-kilometer trail race by over 15 minutes and finished third overall across all categories, just 1:40 behind the overall winner.

The 24-year-old, who anchored Norway’s relay team at the World Championships in Trondheim last winter, is now entering her second season on the Norwegian national elite cross-country team.

Also Read: Sweden wins Relay for women at the Trondheim World Championships

Overall Victory to Ragde Charge

It was, however, Mikael Gunnulfsen from the long-distance team led by Jørgen and Anders Aukland who crossed the finish line first, also with a solid margin.

The 32-year-old from Ørn IF is one of two new powerhouses on Team Ragde Charge this season – and a new father. He finished just over a minute ahead of Per Ingvar Tollehaug, while young Erik Eliassen secured the final podium spot in the men’s category.

Also Read – Dropped from the World Cup: Now he becomes one of Aukland’s men

Pinåsløpet 2025 Results

Top 3 Men:

1. Mikael Gunnulfsen, ØRN IF/Team Ragde Charge – 37:02
2. Per Ingvar Tollehaug, Team Aksjesnadder – 38:13
3. Erik Eliassen, IL Runar – 39:02

Top 3 Women:

1. Kristin Austgulen Fosnæs, Fossum IF/Norwegian National Elite Team – 38:42
2. Celine Abrahamsen, Herkules Ski/Grenland Ski – 54:42
3. Anne Lindalen Stenerud, Tønsberg Triathlon Club – 1:06:33

Full results available HERE

Last year, Gunnulfsen’s former teammate David Thorvik and young Åse Marie Halaas Appenzeller took the victories.

About Pinåsløpet

The eight-kilometer-long Pinåsløpet follows a looped trail over the summit of Pinås at 367 meters above sea level, starting and finishing in Dalen at Steinsholt in Lardal.

The course includes 300 meters of total elevation gain over a mix of trails, tractor roads, and forest roads, with one hydration station along the way.

The course records are 33:20 for men and 35:47 for women, held by David Thorvik (2023) and Nora Sanness (2022), respectively. Thorvik also won last year’s race but did not compete this time.

Tradition of elite showdowns

Pinåsløpet is known for attracting star-studded start lists, a tradition going back to its inception in 2003.

Former winners include Eirik Mysen, Simen Østensen, Odd-Bjørn Hjelmeset, and Anders Aukland on the men’s side; Kristin Størmer Steira, Marit Bjørgen, Vibeke Skofterud, and Marthe Kristoffersen on the women’s side.

Several national team athletes have also stood on the podium at Pinåsløpet, including Simen Hegstad Krüger, Harald Østberg Amundsen, Sjur Røthe, and Astrid Uhrenholdt Jacobsen.

When Petter Northug competed in 2013, he was defeated by Kristin Størmer Steira.

Notable past winners and participants at Pinåsløpet

• Harald Østberg Amundsen
• Hedda Østberg Amundsen
• Tiril Eckhoff
• Martine Ek Hagen
• Marte Mæhlum Johansen
• Kari Øyre Slind
• Marit Bjørgen
• Astrid Uhrenholdt Jacobsen
• Vibeke Skofterud
• Marthe Kristoffersen
• Kathrine Harsem
• The entire Team Northug
• Tord Asle Gjerdalen
• Martin Johnsrud Sundby
• Sjur Røthe
• Simen Hegstad Krüger
• Jens Arne Svartedal
• Anders Gløersen
• Devon Kershaw
• Simen Østensen
• Ella Gjømle
• Kristin Størmer Steira
• Odd-Bjørn Hjelmeset
• Tore Ruud Hofstad
• Anders and Jørgen Aukland
• Harald Astrup Arnesen
• Nora Sanness
• Edvard Sandvik
• David Thorvik

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