Practical information

Practical information

Due to a lack of snow in Bodø, the event has been moved to our backup venue in Valnesfjord.

Official Programme 


Thursday, March 19

16:00 – 20:00  Race office open (Quality Hotel Ramsalt)


Friday, March 20

11:00 – 13:00 Ski activities for kindergartens at Bestemorenga

In cooperation with Nordland Skikrets, Tverlandet IL and Innstranda IL.

11:15 – 15:15 Business Conference – Quality Hotel Ramsalt

Theme: Bodø as a winter destination, featuring among others Odd-Emil Ingebrigtsen, Einar Sørensen, Ørjan Berg, Vebjørn Moen, and Emilie Fleten.

In cooperation with Quality Hotel Ramsalt, Bodø Næringsforening, Nord Universitet, BRUS and Visit Bodø.

12:00 – 20:00  Race office open (Quality Hotel Ramsalt)

18:00 – 19:00  Color Bibs handout – Quality Hotel Ramsalt


Saturday, March 21 – Race Day

08:00 – 15:00 Race office open (Valnesfjord arena)

10:15  Start Elite Men

10:20 Start Elite Women

Regular skiers:  TBA

16:00 – 01:00 After-ski (Ramsalt By Night – Marcialonga Bodø Edition)

Prize ceremony (amateurs), talk show with Kjerringnes Media, DJ, food and drinks available (beer and wine).

In cooperation with Quality Hotel Ramsalt.
See separate program.


Sunday, March 22

11:00 – 13:00  Race office open (Quality Hotel Ramsalt)


Arena, Course and Parking Maps 

Course information will be published when it is ready.


Before the Race 

Bib Numbers and Baggage 

Bib numbers must be collected in person at the Race Office. A baggage tag will be issued together with the bib number and must be clearly attached to your bag. 


Baggage storage is located in a tent at the finish area at the arena(see arena map). Baggage must be delivered before the start and can be collected at the same location after finishing. 


It is mandatory to wear the bib number visibly on the chest throughout the entire race. Folding, covering, or altering the bib number in any way is not permitted. 


Timing 

Elite:
Gross time (the clock starts at the start gun).
An active EQ Timing transponder is used.

All other participants:
Net time (the clock starts when the skier crosses the start line).
The timing chip is integrated in the bib number.

Race office

The Race office is at Quality Hotel Ramsalt and has the following opening hours;

  • Thursday 19.3.2025 at 16:00 - 20:00
  • Friday 20.3.2025 at 12:00 - 20:00
  • Saturday 21.3.2025 at 08:00 - 15:00 (at Valnesfjord Helsesportsenter)
  • Sunday 22.3.2025 at 11:00 - 13:00 (lost and found)


Race office mail: rennkontor@maras.no

Race Office phone: +47 48 39 18 96

Seeding

Seeding for Marcialonga Bodø 2026 will be based on documented results from long-distance cross-country skiing events, with the Ski Classics international ranking system (SC Ranking) serving as the primary reference.


SC Ranking as the main basis

SC Ranking is an international ranking system for Ski Classics that includes athletes of all performance levels and of all genders within a single, unified ranking list. Ranking points are awarded at both Pro Tour and Challenger events. All finishers receive points based on their performance time relative to the winning time in their respective gender, with higher points awarded to athletes finishing closer to the winner.


At Pro Tour events, the winner is awarded 2,000,000 SC Ranking points, while the winner of a Challenger event receives 500,000 points. In addition, Pro Tour events include bonus points for the top three finishers: 200,000 points for first place, 100,000 points for second place, and 40,000 points for third place.


The SC Ranking is calculated based on an athlete’s 12 best results achieved within the past 24 months and is updated on a weekly basis.


Other documented results

Athletes who do not have an SC Ranking, or who wish to supplement this, can have their seeding assessed based on  other documented results from long-distance cross-country skiing. This could, for example, include results from national or international long-distance cross-country skiing races or competitions of a relevant level and distance.


Such results must be:


  • Documentable (official result lists)
  • Relatively fresh
  • Comparable in distance and competition style


The race management reserves the right to conduct a comprehensive assessment of submitted documentation when determining starting pools.

Submission of documentation

Any documentation of results that you wish to be considered for seeding must be sent by email to the race office by the specified deadline: Sunday, March 15, 2026.


Information should be sent to:  rennkontor@maras.no


Classes

We operate with the following age categories: 

Year of birth Class
2010-2011 15-16år
2008-2009 17-18 years
2006-2007 19-20 years
1996-2005 21-30 years
1986-1995 31-40 years
1976-1985 41-50 years
1966-1975 51-60 years
1956-1965 61-70år
1955 and earlier 71

Refund Policy 

The entry fee is non-refundable. This applies in cases of cancellation by the participant, change of distance, or if the event must be cancelled. 


Waxing Facilities 

Sport 1 offers ski waxing services at its stores in Bodø. Skis must be delivered to Sport 1 no later than Wednesday, 18 March.

On race day, Sport 1 and Swix will provide waxing services at Valnesfjorden arena for those who wish to apply an additional layer of grip wax before the start.

The organiser does not provide its own waxing cabins.

Official Training and Ski Test 

Official training: Friday 09:00 - 12:00.

Valnesfjord Helsesportsenter.


The Race 

Jury 

The Jury consists of: 


  • Technical Delegate (Chair of the Jury) 
  • Assistant Technical Delegate 
  • Chief of Competition 
  • Assistant Chief of Competition 
  • Chief of Course 
  • Medical Doctor / Head of Medical Services (attends when required) 

 

Transport and Parking 

Parking will be available in the area around the stadium. We encourage participants to carpool.


There will be bus transport to and from Quality Hotel Ramsalt and Valnesfjord Health Sports Centre.
More information about the buses will be provided.


Price for bus transport: NOK 100 (round trip).

 

Start Times 

Elite Men: 10:15
Elite Women: 10:20 

Regular skiers: TBA


Cut-Off Times 

Cut-off Times: TBA


Feed Stations 

There will be several feed stations along the race course.

All drinks and nutrition provided at the feed stations and in the finish area are included in the entry fee. 


Waxing Service Points and Pole Service 

A waxing service point and pole service station will be established at the arena.



Sweep Patrol 

Sweepers will follow behind the last skier.


Arena Facilities 

A café will be open at Valnesfjord Helsesportsenter. 


Changing into dry clothing can be done in tents at the start/finish area at the arena or in the sports hall at Valnesfjord Helsesportsenter.


Toilets will be available in the arena area. 


Sustainability and Waste 

Waste zones are defined as the food and drink stations ± 50 meters. Disposing of waste outside these zones may result in sanctions.

Do not throw packaging or other waste in the forest or along other parts of the course.


As organizers, we are “borrowing” the Valnesfjord area to host the race, and we therefore ask all participants to take responsibility for their own waste during the event. This is important because:

  • As organizers, we have a responsibility to protect the natural environment in the arena we depend on for our sport.
  • The local community frequently uses the trails, and litter along the course does not reflect well on the sport.
  • Athletes coming behind you may get plastic or paper under their skis, which can cause problems.
  • Collecting litter after the race is challenging and very time-consuming for the organizers.


Anti-Doping and Fluor Ban 

Doping controls and blood testing may be conducted in accordance with the regulations of the Norwegian Olympic and Paralympic Committee and Confederation of Sports (NIF) and FIS rules. 


Fluorinated ski wax is strictly prohibited in Norway at all levels. Fluor testing may be conducted. 


Qualification for Summit2Senja 

The event offers the opportunity to qualify for Summit2Senja – the Grand Finale of the Ski Classics season.


On Sunday, 29 March 2026, the Ski Classics season concludes with the Grand Finale in Senja, Norway. In addition to the Elite field, 250 additional places are available.


To qualify during the season, you must complete either:

  • one Pro Tour event within the winner’s time +50%, or
  • two Challenger events under the same time rule.



At Marcialonga Bodø, both elite and non-elite skiers are timed when crossing the finish line.

For non-elite participants, the qualification time is calculated as the Elite winner’s finish time +50%. Qualification is achieved by finishing within this time limit.


Film and Photography 

The event is public and will be filmed and distributed across various channels. The organiser reserves the right to use images and video from the event for documentation and marketing purposes. 


After the Race 

Prizes and Flower Ceremony 

All finishers of Marcialonga Bodø receive a finisher’s medal. 


Prizes are awarded for the 51 km and 26 km distances. 

All junior categories: 1st–3rd place are awarded on both 51 km and 26 km. 

Senior: 1st–6th place are awarded on both distances. Prizes are awarded per distance, not per age category. 


The Ski Classics Elite field will hold a flower ceremony on the podium by the Ski Classics bus at Valnesfjord Helsesportsenter.

Prize ceremonies for the 15–16, 17–18, and 19–20 age categories will take place on the same podium. 


Prize ceremonies for the remaining categories will be held at 19:00 the same day at Quality Hotel Ramsalt. 


Après-Ski 

Quality Hotel Ramsalt invites everyone to après-ski on Saturday, 21 March from 16:00 to 01:00. 


Food including burgers and pizza will be served. The event is open to everyone, including those not participating in the race. 


Dress code: Come as you are – straight from the ski tracks if you wish.
Free entrance.
 

Lost and Found 

If you forget or lose something, please visit the Race Office. 


Quality Hotel Ramsalt
Sunday 22 March 2025, 11:00–13:00 

Race Office phone: +47 48 39 18 96

Race office mail: rennkontor@maras.no