This is one of Norway’s oldest marathons, held every year on the first Saturday of July in the Jølster/Sunnfjord region of western Norway. The 2026 race is scheduled for Saturday, July 4, 2026.
Runners like it
- Spectacular scenery along Lake Jølstravatnet with views of mountains, glaciers, waterfalls, and farms.
- Smaller, less crowded event compared with major city marathons.
- Friendly local atmosphere.
- Cool Norwegian summer temperatures, often ideal for distance running
Entry & field size
- Participant cap: about 1,300 across all races.
- Marathon registration typically ranges from about 500–800 NOK depending on when you register.
- Registration generally closes a few days before race day.
Getting there
Most international runners fly into Bergen and then drive about 3–4 hours to Vassenden, or connect via regional transport into the Sunnfjord area. The race website also lists local accommodation options.
Good choice?
If you’re looking for:
- beautiful scenery ✔️
- a smaller, authentic race ✔️
- cool summer weather ✔️
- a chance to combine a marathon with a Norwegian fjords vacation ✔️
then Jølster Marathon is a strong option. If your goal is a personal-best time, there are flatter and faster European races, but Jølster is often chosen more for the experience than for speed.
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