Therese Johaug wins Hytteplanmila and plans Valencia marathon

Crossing the finish line of the Hytteplanmila 10-kilometer road race in 30 minutes and 51 seconds, Therese Johaug clocked the second-fastest time in Norwegian history for the distance. The former cross-country skiing star claimed victory in the event, continuing an athletic transition that follows her previous elite achievements on snow.

The Transition From Snow to Road Racing

Johaug retired from competitive cross-country skiing as a four-time Olympic and fourteen-time world champion, maintaining a reputation for having a phenomenal engine. That endurance background translated directly to the asphalt. The athlete completed the course with an impressive time that placed her near the pinnacle of the national all-time lists for a 10-kilometer road race. “It’s fun. Very, very fun,” Johaug told VG after the race. “It was a very difficult goal, but lately I feel really good in training. I just had to try it.”

Johaug Overcomes Pelvic Issues for Copenhagen Test

The path to the 10-kilometer success involved overcoming significant physical hurdles during training blocks. Johaug faced doubts regarding her commitment to the Copenhagen half marathon scheduled for Saturday, September 19, due to persistent issues in the pelvic region. Despite a preparation period she described as far from optimal, the athlete chose to compete. That autumn test served as a crucial stepping stone toward her longer-range running ambitions.

Valencia Marathon Serves as 2028 Olympic Pathway

With the 10-kilometer milestone secured, the former skier has turned her attention to the marathon distance. Johaug plans to compete in the Valencia marathon in Spain, widely recognized as one of the fastest courses in the world, as part of her qualification pathway for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. “Apart from the fact that I have to run another 31 kilometers—which is not a few—the physical form is there,” Johaug stated. “I just need to fine-tune the musculature.”

Belgrade Championships Test Johaug's Marathon Adaptation

Whether Johaug can secure a spot among the elite marathoners at the international level remains the central question as the 2028 Olympic cycle progresses. She has targetted the 2027 European Road Running Championships in Belgrade in April. With her physical conditioning verified by her recent clockings, the remaining variable is how her musculature adapts to the demands of the full 42.195-kilometer distance.