Finnmarksløpet is a long distance sled dog race organized every year since 1981 in Finnmark, Norway. Finnmarksløpet is the longest sled race in Europe.
History The first Finnmarksløpet was hosted in 1981 with only one "open" class and a total of three teams entering the first race. Over the years, the race has experienced substantial growth, both in terms of participants and audience. In 1985, a second "limited" class was introduced. By 1992, the race distance was extended to , with the open class setting a maximum of 12 dogs, while the limited class was restricted to 8-dog and a distance of . In 2000, the open class was expanded further to include up to 14 dogs, and the limited class distance was reduced to . In 2018, the open class was further extended to its current length at , making Finnmarksløpet the longest sled dog race in Europe and the second longest sled race in the world. A junior class open to mushers 14 to 18 years of age has also been added, with a distance of . The 2021 race was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2025, the open class was shortened to due to warm weather and parts of the course not sufficiently freezing.
Race
All classes begin in Alta before crossing Norway's largest plateau, Finnmarksvidda. The open class proceeds to Kirkenes and then turning back to Alta. The limited class heads to first Kautokeino and then Levajok, a hamlet near Tana before heading back to Alta.
Participants in Finnmarksløpet come from all over Europe. To participate in the open class, participants must have previously completed the Finnmarksløpet in limited class, Femundløpet, Bergebyløpet N70, Gold Rush Run 501 or another race at least in length in the past five years. Roger Dahl is the oldest participant, completing the Finnmarksløpet for the 28th time in 2025 at the age of 73. Harsh weather conditions are common on Finnmarksvidda which has a subarctic climate with the coldest winter temperatures in Norway.
Open Class Daily stages, totaling 1243 km Stage 1 : Alta – Kautokeino, 168 km Stage 2 : Kautokeino – Jergul, 101 km Stage 3 : Jergul – Levajok, 122 km Stage 4 : Levajok – Tana, 100 km Stage 5 : Tana – Neiden, 100 km Stage 6 : Neiden – Övre Pasvik, 78 km Stage 7 : Övre Pasvik – Kirkenes, 86 km Stage 8 : Kirkenes - Neiden, 71 km Stage 9 : Neiden – Varangerbotn, 82 km Stage 10 : Varangerbotn – Levajok, 70 km Stage 11: Levajok – Karasjok, 83 km Stage 12: Karasjok – Jotka, 82 km Stage 13: Jotka – Alta, 49 km
Winners Year Winning Time Winner Home town20266 days 15 hours 41 minPetter KarlssonSlussfors20256 days 8 hours 38 minHarald TunheimAlta20247 days 9 hours 30 minPetter KarlssonSlussfors20236 days 19 hours 35 minPetter KarlssonSlussfors20226 days 14 hours 44 minThomas WærnerTorpa2020/2021 Called off (COVID-19 pandemic)2019 6 days 18 hours 38 min Thomas Wærner Torpa2018 7 days 2 hours 47 min Petter KarlssonSlussfors2017 6 days 9 hours 8 min Petter Jahnsen Tufsingdalen2016 6 days 00 hours 3 min Petter KarlssonSlussfors, Sweden2015 6 days 03 hours 21 min Sigrid Ekran Lomsjødalen2014 5 days 19 hours 16 min Sigrid Ekran Lomsjødalen2013 5 days 19 hours 55 min Thomas Wærner Torpa2012 6 days 01 hours 40 min Inger-Marie Haaland Fagerheim Fjellstugu2011 5 days 09 hours 25 min Roger Dahl Alta2010 5 days 09 hours 15 minRalph Johannesen Fagerheim Fjellstugu2009 5 days 06 hours 50 min Inger-Marie Haaland Fagerheim Fjellstugu2008 6 days 02 hours 35 min Harald Tunheim Alta2007 5 days 20 hours 49 min Tore Bergby Luksefjell2006 5 days 18 hours 18 min Harald Tunheim Alta2005 5 days 23 hours 52 min Roger Dahl Alta2004 6 days 10 hours 24 min Bjørnar Andersen Oslo2003 6 days 3 hours 32 min Rune Johansen Alta2002 5 days 5 hours 8 min Rune Johansen Alta2001 4 days 20 hours 32 min Robert Sørlie Hurdal2000 4 days 19 hours 37 min Kjetil Backen Porsgrunn1999 5 days 4 hours 38 min Robert Sørlie Hakadal1998 4 days 13 hours 4 min Harald Tunheim Alta1997 5 days 3 hours 8 min Harald Tunheim Alta1996 4 days 14 hours 57 min Harald Tunheim Alta1995 5 days 13 hours 28 min Robert Sørlie Hakadal1994 5 days 12 hours 17 min Sven Engholm Karasjok1993 5 days 13 hours 21 min Sven Engholm Karasjok1992 5 days 12 hours 5 min Roger Dahl Alta1991 4 days 21 hours 57 min Sven Engholm Karasjok1990 4 days 14 hours 33 min Sven Engholm Karasjok1989 ? Stein Håvard Fjestad Stange1988 ? Sven Engholm Karasjok1987 ? Karl Petter Beldo Alta1986 ? Stein Håvard Fjestad Stange1985 ? Sven Engholm Karasjok1984 ? Sven Engholm Karasjok1983 ? Sven Engholm Karasjok1982 ? Sven Engholm Karasjok1981 ? Sven Engholm Karasjok
Limited Class Daily stages, totalling 609 km Stage 1: Alta – Kautokeino, 168 km Stage 2: Kautokeino – Jergul, 100 km Stage 3: Jergul – Levajok, 127 km Stage 4: Levajok – Karasjok, 83 km Stage 5: Karasjok – Jotka, 82 km Stage 6: Jotka – Alta 49 km
Winners Year Winning Time Winner Home town20262 days 21 hours 59 minCato MyhreLånke20252 days 23 hours 46 minBjørnar AndersenOslo20242 days 18 hours 2 minRonny WingrenSocklot20232 days 15 hours 33 minHarald TunheimAlta20222 days 15 hours 46 minRonny WingrenSocklot2021Called off20202 days 19 hours 34 minDaniel HaagensenTomter20192 days 14 hours 23 minHanna LyrekAlta20182 days 17 hours 20 minHarald TunheimAlta20172 days 16 hours 47 minElisabeth EdlandNannestad20162 days 16 hours 52 minOle Sigleif JohansenRødberg2015 2 days 4 hours 1 min Elisabeth Edland Nannestad2014 2 days 3 hours 51 min Ronny Wingren Socklot2013 2 days 3 hours 12 min Milos Gonda Spišská Nová Ves2012 2 days 3 hours 59 min Katy Meier Slagnäs, Sweden2011 2 days 2 hours 59 min Elisabeth Edland Nannestad2010 2 days 2 hours 41 min Ole Wingren Nykarleby2009 2 days 3 hours 40 min Arnt Ola Skjerve Rennebu2008 2 days 11 hours 27 min Jan Vidar Dahle Båtsfjord2007 2 days 7 hours 36 min Elisabeth Edland Nannestad2006 2 days 9 hours 3 min Erle Frantzen Ulnes2005 2 days 5 hours 26 min Hilde Askildt Geilo2004 2 days 3 hours 46 min Stein Are Harder Elvenes2003 2 days 3 hours 57 min Dag Torulf Olsen Hammerfest2002 2 days 11 hours 26 min Markus Kyrre Leistad Alta2001 2 days 13 hours 37 min Dag Torulf Olsen Hammerfest2000 2 days 13 hours 49 min Abner Hykkerud Alta1999 No race held - -1998 No race held - -1997 3 days 13 hours 50 min Abner Hykkerud Alta1996 3 days 2 hours 1 min Rune Johansen Alta1995 3 days 11 hours 10 min Eirik Nilsen Alta1994 3 days 11 hours 42 min Karl Petter Beldo Alta1993 4 days 5 hours 40 min Eirik Nilsen Alta1992 1 day 20 hours 36 min Eirik Nilsen Alta1991 6 days 1 time 12 min Jan Arne Jakobsen Lakselv1990 4 days 17hours 26 min Torgeir Øren Røros1989 ? Egil Olli Karasjok1988 ? Arne Oddvar Nilsen Alta1987 ? Arne Oddvar Nilsen Alta1986 ? Sven Engholm Karasjok1985 ? Arne Oddvar Nilsen Alta
Junior Class Daily stages, totalling 198 km Stage 1: Alta – Jotka, 49 km Stage 2: Jotka – Suossjavre, 47 km Stage 3: Suossjavre – Jotka, 53 km Stage 4: Jotka – Alta 49 km
Winners Year Winning Time Winner Home town20261 day 2 hours 36 minEmma Walseth-20251 day 0 hours 53 minElisabeth KristensenAlta20241 day 0 hours 40 minElisabeth KristensenAlta20231 day 0 hours 41 minElisabeth KristensenAlta202223 hours 46 min Oda Karlstrøm2021Called off202023 hours 49 minEspen BurgerSvanvik20191 day 0 hours 33 minOle Henrik Isaksen EiraAlta20181 day 0 hours 38 minOle Henrik Isaksen EiraAlta20171 day 2 hours 11 minTuva AlmåsStord20161 day 1 hours 22 minHanna LyrekAlta2015 1 day 0 hours 58 min Anette Børve Hernes Eidfjord (village)2014 1 day 3 hours 6 min Erik Loftsgård Øygardsgrend
See also Arctic Alps Cup (La Grande Odyssée and Finnmarksløpet) Iditarod La Grande Odyssée (France and Switzerland) List of sled dog races References
External links Finnmarksløpet Finnmarksløpet 2026. Danish Wikipedia Finnmarksløpet 2025. Simple English Wikipedia