Around 14,000 runners had signed up for this year’s Oslo Marathon by midweek and with more expected, organizers predicted the final turnout would set a new record. Preliminary events were scheduled for Saturday with the main event starting Sunday morning.
Runners have registered from 71 different countries and from all around Norway, many of them signing up for the half-marathon event and shorter runs (10K and 3K) on Saturday. There also were special events for physically challenged participants, including a race for blind runners.
It all begins and ends from the large open plaza behind the Akershus Fortress and Castle (Festningsplassen), with the route running first to the east around Bjørvika and back, and then over the City Hall Plaza, through Vika and west to Skøyen before returning via the waterfront, Filipstad, Tjuvholmen and Aker Brygge.
Participants and specatators were being urged to leave their cars at home and use public transport into the city. Even though it was pouring rain in Oslo on Friday, organizers were cheered by prospects for sunny skies during the weekend.
Views and News staff
