Gausta Challenge 2026

The Gausta Challenge is a 6 km gravel race starting and finishing at Gausta Fjellresort, looping around Kvitåvatn near Rjukan, Norway. This mountain-area running event caters to participants who wish to race hard, jog, or walk the course. Recent fields have ranged from 156 participants to a record entry of 200. A planned late-September edition was canceled due to a lack of landowner permission. The race is organized by Rjukan IL – Friidrett & Triathlon in conjunction with Gaustablikk Fjellresort. The route follows gravel paths around the lake, accommodating both experienced competitors and recreational runners. Jens Kristian Samuelsen of Rjukan IL, competing in the M18-19 class, set a course record of 20:50, surpassing the previous record by ninety seconds and winning a 1500 kroner prize. Other recent winners include Sindre Gjøystdal in 23:20 and Ingrid Natalie Sundbolien in 29:52.