Running Races in Oslo 2026
Oslo is Norway's number one running city with 100+ races annually. From Oslo Marathon (20,000 participants) and Holmenkollstafetten (world's largest relay with 25,000 runners) to free Parkrun every Saturday – there are races for all levels. This guide covers all races in Oslo 2026: major marathon and half marathon events, 5K/10K street races, weekly free runs, trail races in Oslo forests, color runs, charity runs and night runs. Whether you're a beginner wanting to run your first 5K or experienced runner aiming for personal record in marathon, you'll find the right race here. Complete calendar with registration links, prices, training plans and tips from local runners. Last updated January 2026.
Major Races in Oslo 2026
The four biggest races in Oslo attract thousands of participants from all over Norway and internationally. These require registration months in advance and offer everything from 5K to full marathon. Perfect for those who want organized races with good atmosphere, timing, and medal at finish.
| Race | Date 2026 | Distances | Participants | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oslo Maraton | September 20, 2026 | Marathon (42.2K), half marathon (21.1K), 10K | 20,000+ | 590-1,290 kr |
| Sentrumsløpet | May 8, 2026 | 5K, 10K, half marathon | 15,000+ | 350-650 kr |
| Holmenkollstafetten | May 15, 2026 | 5 legs × 3.5K (relay) | 25,000+ | 1,500-2,000 kr per lag |
| Oslo City Run | June 12, 2026 | 5K, 10K | 8,000+ | 300-500 kr |
🏆 Registration tips for major races
- •Early bird registration saves you 200-500 NOK - register as soon as registration opens
- •Oslo Marathon and Holmenkollstafetten usually fill up in June-July - don't wait too long
- •Follow races' Instagram/Facebook for registration opening alerts
- •Register through run club for discount (50-100 NOK)
Weekly Free Races
Why wait for the next big race? Oslo has free races every week year-round. Perfect for keeping motivation up, meeting other runners, and training for paid races without spending a krone. All levels welcome – from walkers to experienced runners.
| Race/Club | Day | Time | Distance | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parkrun Sognsvann | Every Saturday | 09:00 | 5 km | Free (one-time registration) |
| Nike Run Club Oslo | Tuesdays & Thursdays | 18:30 | 5-10 km | Free |
| November Project Oslo | Wednesdays | 06:30 | Varies (2-5K) | Free |
Race Calendar by Season
Oslo has races year-round, but most major races happen May-September when weather is best. Plan your year strategically: train inside during winter, participate in free races to keep motivation, and register for major races spring/fall.
Spring (March-May)
Sentrumsløpet (May), Holmenkollstafetten (May), Oslo Spring Run (April)
Summer (June-August)
Oslo City Run (June), Color Run Oslo (July), Bislett Games 5K (June)
Fall (September-November)
Oslo Marathon (September), Trail Series (September-November)
Winter (December-February)
Parkrun Sognsvann (every Saturday), November Project (Wednesdays)
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the biggest races in Oslo in 2026?
The four biggest races in Oslo are: (1) Oslo Marathon (September 20) - Norway's largest with 20,000+ participants, distances from 10K to full marathon (42.2K), (2) Holmenkollstafetten (May 15) - world's largest relay race with 25,000+ participants in teams of 5, (3) Sentrumsløpet (May 8) - 15,000 runners through downtown Oslo, perfect spring race, (4) Oslo City Run (June 12) - 8,000 participants, fast and flat 5K/10K perfect for personal records. Registration usually opens 3-6 months before the race, and the biggest races fill up quickly.
When should I register for Oslo Marathon 2026?
Oslo Marathon 2026 (September 20) opens registration in February 2026. Best tips: (1) Register early (February-March) for lowest price - early bird costs 590-790 NOK vs. 990-1,290 NOK later, (2) Choose distance based on training level: 10K for beginners (8-12 weeks training), half marathon for experienced (12-16 weeks), full marathon only if you've run half marathon before (20+ weeks training), (3) Follow @oslomaraton on Instagram for registration opening alerts. The race usually fills up in June-July, so don't wait too long.
Are there free races in Oslo?
Yes! The best free races are: (1) Parkrun Sognsvann - every Saturday at 9:00 AM, 5K timed run (free, but requires one-time registration at parkrun.no for barcode), (2) Nike Run Club Oslo - Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:30 PM, social group run 5-10K from Nike Store Bogstadveien, (3) November Project Oslo - Wednesdays at 6:30 AM, free morning workout with focus on community and good vibes, (4) Adidas Runners Oslo - Mondays at 6:00 PM from Adidas Store. These are perfect for training for paid races or just keeping motivation up year-round. See full guide: /oslo/lopeklubber/gratis
Which race should I choose as a beginner in Oslo?
As a beginner, recommended: (1) Start with Parkrun Sognsvann - free, every Saturday, 5K, very beginner-friendly with walkers and joggers welcome (20-60 min finish time), (2) Then register for Oslo City Run 5K (June) - flat and fast course, good atmosphere, 4-8 weeks training plan is enough, (3) Or Sentrumsløpet 5K (May) - lots of spectators, motivating atmosphere. Avoid half marathon/marathon until you've run at least 3-4 shorter races (5-10K). Follow 12-week couch-to-5K plan (see: /oslo/lopeklubber/nybegynnere) before your first race.
How much does it cost to participate in races in Oslo?
Prices vary widely: (1) Free - Parkrun Sognsvann (0 NOK), Nike Run Club, November Project, (2) Cheap (200-400 NOK) - Local 5K/10K races, charity runs, (3) Medium (400-700 NOK) - Sentrumsløpet, Oslo City Run, bigger 5-10K races, (4) Expensive (700-1,500 NOK) - Oslo Marathon (marathon/half marathon), Holmenkollstafetten (per team). Tips to save money: Early bird registration (20-40% discount), register through run club (often 50-100 NOK discount), volunteer at one race for free starting spot at next race.
What time of year is best for running in Oslo?
The best running months in Oslo are: (1) May-June - perfect weather (50-68°F), long days, Sentrumsløpet and Holmenkollstafetten happen now, (2) September - pleasantly cool (50-59°F), Oslo Marathon, beautiful fall colors, (3) July-August - warmest but can get too hot (68-77°F), fewer races but perfect for training runs, (4) October-April - cold but possible with right gear, Parkrun runs year-round. Avoid January-February for your first race (dark, icy, demanding). Best strategy: Train inside/outside winter, participate in races May-October.
How do I train for my first half marathon in Oslo?
Half marathon (21.1K) requires serious preparation. 12-16 week training plan: (1) Prerequisites - You should be able to run 10K comfortably before starting half marathon training, (2) Weekly increase - Increase total running volume by max 10% per week, (3) Long runs - One long run per week, start with 12-14K, build up to 18-20K (3 weeks before race), (4) Speedwork - One interval session per week (e.g., 6×800m with rest), (5) Recovery - 2-3 rest days per week is critical. Running routes: Akerselva for flat training, Sognsvann-Ullevålseter for hill work. Run clubs: Oslo Runners has half marathon groups with experienced coaches. First-time half marathon: Aim for 2:00-2:30 finish (6:00-7:00 min/km pace).
Are there night runs or other special races in Oslo?
Yes, Oslo has several unique races: (1) Night runs - Oslo Nights Run (August), run through downtown Oslo 9:00-11:00 PM with headlamp, (2) Trail races - Trail Series (September-November), 8 races in Oslo forests on 5-10K, (3) Color runs - Color Run Oslo (July), 5K "world's most colorful race" with color stations, (4) Charity - Pink Ribbon Run (October) for breast cancer cause, (5) Obstacle course - Nordic Obstacle Run (June) with 20+ obstacles, (6) Vertical - Oslo Vertikalen (March), stair run up Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel (37 floors, 800 steps). These are perfect for variation from regular street races.