Therese Johaug had planned to compete in the Norwegian Championships. Now she has withdrawn.

The 37-year-old made her comeback at the end of April, three months after giving birth to her second child. She won the 10-kilometer Sentrumsløpet in Oslo, following a sprint finish against Heidi Weng. In May, she ran the Bjørndalenmila in Simostranda, where she dominated her competitors, finishing over a minute ahead of the next runner.

Withdraws from the Norwegian Championships

Johaug won the Norwegian Championships gold in the 10,000 meters in 2019. She had planned to compete in the same event at the Norwegian Athletics Championships later this summer. However, she has decided against it, stating she doesn’t dare.

The reason is new regulations regarding shoes in athletics.

“If I could have run with the shoes I used last time, I would have participated. I find it incredibly fun, and it would have been a great goal for the summer,” Johaug told Adresseavisen.

The last time she ran the 10,000 meters on the track, the rule allowed soles to be up to 25 millimeters thick. Now, the maximum limit is 20 millimeters.

Johaug has a contract with the shoe manufacturer Hoka, which only offers spike shoes with such thin soles. She is not willing to take that risk.

“I have spoken with Hoka. There are no alternatives other than spike shoes, and I don’t dare to use them. I have never worn spike shoes and believe the overall strain would be too much for my calves,” Johaug explained.

Aiming for the World Championships

The former cross-country skiing queen retired from her skiing career last spring when she discovered she was pregnant. Now, the Copenhagen Half Marathon in September is her main goal for the season, and it has been her primary goal since she announced at the end of May that she would not be competing in the 2026 Olympics.

This race also counts as the World Championships, and the former skiing star has set a high bar: her ambition is to run under one hour and ten minutes. If she achieves this, she will become the third fastest Norwegian woman in half marathon history: only Ingrid Kristiansen and Karoline Bjerkeli Grøvdal have previously run under that “magical” mark.

The women’s World Record is 1:02:52, set by Letesenbet Gidey at the Valencia Half Marathon on October 24, 2021. The Norwegian record is 1:07:34, set by Karoline Bjerkeli Grøvdal in 2023 – precisely in Copenhagen.

Considering Norwegian Championships in road running

Even though Johaug is now dropping the 10,000 meters, she does not rule out participating in the Norwegian Champiosnhips – but in road running, where the shoe regulations are different. This year’s Norwwegian Championships in road running will take place in Trondheim at the end of July.

“If I am in Dalsbygda and it works out to go to Trondheim, I might take the trip if I feel my body needs competition.”

Are you interested in traditional cross-country skiing? Click HERE and read more about it.

As a member of ProXCskiing.com, you get full access to all content on the site and live streaming of Ski Classics Pro Tour events with English commentary.

When you become part of one of the world’s leading XC ski communities, you will receive many exclusive offers all year round. 

REGISTER HERE AS A MEMBER