Skarverennet is a cross country skiing race held in Norway. The race begins in Finse and finishes in Ustaoset, it is 38km long. There is an alternative stretch from Haugastøl to Ustaoset (26km). The race takes place near the end of April, the 2006 race was on the 22nd of April.
Participation
Due to the exposed nature of the race, it takes place in open mountain terrain, the safety of the racers is a priority, and so there is a limit of 14,000 competitors. The racers cross a wide spectrum, many elite cross country skiiers and biathletes take part in the race, these are joined with juniors, mature, and rectreational skiers, although it is dominated in numbers by Norwegians.
Winners
The 2006 race was the 33rd Skarverennet. The mens race was won by Ole Einar Bjørndalen in a time of 1:31.25, followed by Frode Andresen in second with a time of 1:31.26, and Kristen Skjeldal in third in a time of 1:31.32. It was Bjørndalen's first win in this race, but both Andresen and Skjeldal have both won the race twice. In the womens race Elin Nilsen of Norway won the race for the 13th time, in a time of 1:45.49, with Bjørndalen's wife Nathalie Santer coming in second for the second year in a row in a time of 1:48.00, and Marit Bjørgen came third in 1:48.45.