Norges vakreste halvmaraton is a July race on Smøla, with its hub in the fishing village of Veidholmen in Møre og Romsdal. The name means “Norway’s most beautiful half marathon,” and the event also offers 5 km and 10 km races, so it is not only for half-marathon runners. By its sixth running, a record crowd had gathered around the start and finish area to run, watch, and make a family day of it.
The half marathon starts in Veidholmen, runs over small islands and skerries along the sea toward Hopen, then turns back to finish in Veidholmen. The event adds a children’s race for the youngest runners; one edition had 65 children on the start line with the mascot Grizzlybjørnen, followed by ice cream and medals. Around the racing there are simple local touches like kiosk sales and face painting, while the front of the half marathon can still be quick, with winning times around 1:13.