The Challengers Trysil-Knut Rennet in Norway was planned for February 25 and is now canceled due to few participants.

Trysil-Knut Rennet, a traditional 40-kilometer long-distance race taking place in Søre Osen, Trysil municipality, Norway, is canceled due to a lack of skiers’ registrations. The event is Trysil’s oldest long-distance skiing race and is held in classic technique.

The race was organized for the first time in the early 1930s. Since then, the race has been held 61 times and canceled only during the war. In the first years, the event occurred every two years from the venue ‘Fredheim’ on the east side of Lake Osenjøen and then from Innbygda (Trysil).

Trysil-Knut Rennet explains the situation as follows on their Facebook page and website:

“Trysil-Knut Rennet – This year’s Trysil-Knut Rennet has been canceled due to a few pre-registrations. Those who were already registered will get starting fees back,” says the organizers on their website and continues on Facebook:

“We apologize for any inconvenience this causes. With a heavy heart, we choose to cancel this year’s race, as we have expanded the course with a new loop and made major improvements to the trail as well. We believe this year’s course could become one of the best skiing experiences for participants in line with extremely good snow and skiing conditions. At the same time, we hope to be able to return next year already if it turns out that interest in the competition increases.”

Trysil-Knut Rennet has the status of an official seeding race for Vasaloppet and Birkebeinerrennet and suits exceptionally well as preparation for Birkebeinerrennet as the course profile is strikingly similar.