Femundløpet 2024
Around you, the narrow streets of Røros are filled with eager dogs and expectant dog walkers. Loud dog barking, nerves and chaos.
High fives and cheers follow you up Kirkegata. You hold your breath through the fabled 90° turn. Then it becomes quiet and the tension lets go.
Finally you're up and running. You and the dogs.
When Annbjørg Bakken was 10 years old, she wrote a note to herself. The message was crystal clear:
"You're going to be a dog driver when you grow up!!! Even though you have
"Change your mind now and you'll become a dog driver!"
Annbjørg pursues her childhood dream and eventually moves to Finnmark to work for one of the country's best long-distance teams. Three years later, she starts in Europe's longest race; Finnmarksløpet, a 1200 km adventure. Together with the dogs from Jotka Fjellstue, Annbjørg becomes the best first-time runner and woman across the finish line. She races to an impressive 5th place and is nominated for the award for best dog care.
"It's on the race that you learn the most. You are really challenged on what you have trained for, and that's often when you get dogs that surprise, take responsibility and show what lives inside them," says the 29-year-old who now lives in Ålen, Trøndelag.
The years in Finnmark gave the girl from Lillehammer the knowledge she needed to start out on her own. Today, Annbjørg is well into her second racing season on her own, and there are 15 eager huskies in her kennel. A big contrast from when she was a child 'dog' on all of the mother's shopping lists in the hope that a four-legged friend would come home from the grocery store.
Last year's Femundløp did not go entirely according to plan when both dogs and drivers had to break ground due to illness. “This year, however, I have decided that we are definitely going to make this happen,” Annbjørg says firmly. The strategy is to enjoy yourself and rest a lot.
"It's extra fun to race with your own dogs. You get a completely different sense of ownership for everything you do," explains Annbjørg, who is racing the 450 km distance of Femundløpet this year. “I really feel like this is my race.”
Temperatures settle well below freezing early -30°, and even Annbjørg has to admit that her lungs are aching along the way. Dressing for varying activities in such cold is no easy task.
"You're standing there on the sled, dressed for the bitter cold, and then suddenly you have to run up a mountain. Like this Working on and off would usually make me clammy, and so very cold, but with several layers of wool from Lanullva it went really well.”
Despite the cold, the winter landscape of Trøndelag offers several magical experiences, and over the mountain towards Søvollen the dog sledder gets a rare sunset. Around Annbjørg the sun colors the mountain peaks red, and ahead of the sled eight dogs walk in fine rhythm. This is the payment for all the hard work, for everything you sacrifice throughout a season and the long hours of autumn training in rain, sleet and mud.
"Over the mountain there I cried a little on the sled," admits Annnjørg. "My dogs work so incredibly well on all the uphills we encounter, and with that sunset on top of that. It really moves you."
Distributed at the checkpoints Søvollen and Tynset, three of the dogs are released with minor injuries. Lykke, Centi and Kora are thus allowed to drive with their handlers for the rest of the race.
As the results of long-distance dog sledding often show, reaching the finish line is no guarantee. During long races, it is important to make good choices, take care of the dogs from the start and have a little luck. Small mistakes and accidents can have a big impact after several hundred kilometers.
"I really enjoy working with animals, and in a sport like dog sledding, animal welfare is very important," says Annbjørg. "It 's safe to know that you can also make good choices and still think about animal welfare with the clothes you wear. With Lanullva you know you're getting ethical production and that the sheep are doing well."
Driving the last 200 km with five dogs can be a tough task, but Annbjørg is optimistic. "So far we've been riding nicely and nicely, and the five dogs that remain are incredibly good. So if I keep making the right choices, we'll make it all the way to the finish line."
From the last checkpoint of the race, the five remaining dogs howl and jump with excitement. There is no doubt that Loki, Nasa, Lava, Grim and Grå are ready for the trip over the mountains towards Røros.
"Seeing that joy this far into the race is overwhelming as a runner. You are very touched that they still want to work their asses off after running this far," Annbjørg says proudly.
The last stage begins with steep uphills, and Annbjørg's dogs work like gods. Every time there is a sign to stop, the lead dog Loki starts a play chorus while jumping in the harness.
"To cross the finish line with my own dogs after a training season with tough tracks and uncertainties - it's really great to do it, even if you end up in the middle of the results list, it feels like a victory," says a clearly moved dog handler who crossed the finish line with dogs that still want to run further.
