3000m showdown: Amundsen beats Dæhlie’s mark
Norwegian national team star surged on the final stretch to win a dramatic duel at the Moseby Invitational at Bislett Stadium last weekend.
Moseby Invitational 2025: Once again, it came down to two cross-country skiers in the official men’s heat at the Moseby Invitational on Saturday afternoon: last year’s winner Eirik Mysen and Harald Østberg Amundsen, who had finished third the past two years.
Both had set their sights on breaking Bjørn Dæhlie’s long-standing best time over 3000 meters: 8:18.76, set in 1991. And both succeeded. But at the finish line, just one second separated them — in Amundsen’s favor. The 2024 World Cup winner stopped the clock at 8:15, with Mysen close behind at 8:16.
“Harald was strong and deserved to win. But I hate losing,” Mysen told Langrenn.com after placing second at Bislett.
Amundsen, for his part, was thrilled to beat Dæhlie’s mark:
“He’s a legend. I believe he still holds one of the highest VO₂ max readings ever measured,” he told TV2 following the performance.
Also Read: VO2max – Who has the highest values in history?
Still Far From Ingebrigtsen
The 26-year-old from Norway had previously held a personal best of 8:22 over the distance, set in 2023. That has now been slashed to 8:14.89. Still, Amundsen remains far off Jakob Ingebrigtsen’s record of 7:17.55 — a time that cross-country skiers can only dream of.
“It’s just insane. Before Saturday, my PB was over a minute behind Jakob Ingebrigtsen. Now I’m under a minute behind, which I’m obviously very happy with,” says Amundsen.
“Imagining the pace he runs at… it must be incredible. It’s impressive — there’s not much more to say. It’s inspiring to know it’s even possible to run that fast.”
Among cross-country skiers, the 3000-meter record is still held by Anders Aukland, who clocked 8:02.77 in 1994, the year he turned 22.
In Top Form
Amundsen is known as one of the fastest runners on the Norwegian national ski team. Just a week ago, the 26-year-old left both World Champion Johannes Høsflot Klæbo and the rest of the elite squad behind in the 4km Idyll x Craft Run street race in Fredrikstad.
This year marked the fifth edition of the prestigious Moseby Invitational, organized by brothers Håvard and Erling Moseby. A new feature for 2025 was the addition of an official women’s heat.
Over 650 participants were registered for the Moseby Invitational 2025.
Moseby Invitational 2025 – Results
Top 3 Men, Official Heat 2, 3000m
- Harald Østberg Amundsen, Asker SK – 8:15
- Eirik Mysen, Mosvik IL – 8:16
- Ragnar Nersten, Fossum IF – 8:20
Top 3 Men, Official Heat 1, 3000m
- Jonas Njerve, SK Vidar – 8:38
- Arve Moen Listaul, Seljord IL – 8:39
- Sondre Omland, Kjelsås IL – 8:40
Club Duel in the Women’s Race
The official women’s heat also came down to small margins as two teammates battled for victory. Anna Marie Nordengen Sirevåg and Kristine Meinert Rød of SK Vidar broke away from the pack halfway through the race.
Andrea Modin Engesæth, reigning Norwegian cross-country champion, secured the final podium spot six seconds behind Rød, after being unable to keep up with the two Vidar runners.
This was the first year that an official women’s heat was held at the Moseby Invitational.
Top 3 Women, Official Heat, 3000m
- Anna Marie Nordengen Sirevåg, SK Vidar – 9:20
- Kristine Meinert Rød, SK Vidar – 9:21
- Andrea Modin Engesæth, IL i BUL – 9:27
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