“I hope what we say can make her reconsider,” Marit Bjørgen tells TV 2.

The 44-year-old Marit Bjørgen is in her third season as coach of the Norwegian elite national team. She fears that Heidi Weng may focus on the wrong things. 

Weng recently announced that the 2026/2027 season will be her last. But the 34-year-old is certainly not tired of competing. 

Now Weng has caught the running bug and has set himself a lofty goal. 

“I suddenly think that pushing yourself to do something is fun. For example, 10,000 (meters) street races. It has become a thing.” Weng tells  TV 2 , and explains: 

“It’s not about finishing first, but I’m curious about how fast I can run a 10 kilometer. The goal is to be under the 32 mark. Then we’ll see if I can do it.”

She couldn’t do that at Bjørndalenmila last week. There, Weng went on a real bang a little over halfway through the race, and finally clocked in at 33:44. That was over a minute behind winner Therese Johaug. 

At the Sentrumsløpet in late April, Weng was in 33:24. Johaug also won there, but the margin of victory was only nine seconds. 

Also Read: Weng plans to retire after Falun – Reveals new sports agenda

Wrong focus

However, Weng’s coaches aren’t as enthusiastic about all the running. 

Last year, Weng received a clear message from head coach Sjur Ole Svarstad. 

Now it is Marit Bjørgen who comes with a clear warning. She fears that the running craze could detract from the focus on the main goal of the season, namely the World Championships in Falun. 

“I am impressed with what she did with the running both last year and this spring. But I think Heidi must remember that it is the World Championships in Falun that counts. She must not focus too much on the running, but also on the World Championships. She must do what is required to be the best there. Because Heidi can compete for the very best in Falun,” says Bjørgen.

“Heidi probably decides most things herself, but I hope what we say can make her think a little,” says Bjørgen.

The two were national team colleagues in the early part of Weng’s career. Back then, Bjørgen was the veteran on the team. Now, it’s Heidi Weng. 

However, the 34-year-old is clear that the 2026/2027 season will be her last. Maybe. 

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