Nesaksla Opp

Nesaksla Opp begins in Åndalsnes, Møre og Romsdal, and immediately ascends steeply, making the short distance deceptive. The race covers only 2 km but gains 687 meters, classifying it as a steep mountain climb rather than a typical short road race. It takes place in October, when Åndalsnes typically experiences cool weather, often cloudy, with occasional crisp, sunny days, and temperatures ranging from 6-14°C. The course starts in town and directs participants upward toward Nesaksla. Success on this course relies as much on climbing strength as on running speed. Records indicate a field featuring prominent local clubs and mountain sports figures: Isfjorden IL, Åndalsnes IF, Romsdal Randonee Klubb, Trollveggen Triathlon Klubb, and Adidas Terrex are frequently found at the front. The quickest recorded finish is by Petter Engdahl in 21:21, with Iver Synstnes and Jeppe Aaskov Pallesen following closely in the low 23-minute range, illustrating the climb's difficulty even for elite athletes.