Ottaløpet

Ottaløpet starts and finishes in the park in Otta's center, the Gudbrandsdalen town by Rondane, with races typically in late June. Runners select from 5 km, 10 km, a 5 km walk without timing, or a 10 km relay. This setup accommodates racers, casual joggers, company teams, and families. The relay allows a team to divide the 10 km into up to five legs, with one captain registering the entire group. A free children's race is available for ages 1 to 12, and runners aged 10 to 16 can enter the 5 km at a reduced fee. The course features asphalt and gravel, exiting the park over Loftsgardsbrua and proceeding north toward Åya. It goes by Ottahallen, includes a circuit of the track at Åya stadion, follows the river edge and promenade back toward town, and then either concludes after one 5 km lap or directs 10 km runners for a second lap. Marshals and course markings provide guidance on race day. Ottaløpet originated in the 1990s with a measured 10 km route around Selsverket, later returning in its present town-center format because of the efforts of Mari Gudbrandsen and Eirik Rusten. Awards are given to the top three in the 5 km and 10 km races. 10 km class winners receive trophies, and the men's and women's 10 km winners each get a challenge trophy. Local workplaces also contend for the fittest company title, determined by the number of finishers across all distances, including relay participants.