Vestfold Maraton

Description

Since 2013, Vestfold Marathon has engaged young and adult exercisers in physical activity, and created a running party from Hegdal industrial area in Larvik, to the finish at Jahn Teigens plass at the end of the pier in Tønsberg. The half marathon starts at Torp station Råstad, with the finish on the pier with the marathon crowd.

Vestfold is a relay marathon in many ways similar to the Holmenkoll relay. It is not given to everyone to run a marathon, full or half. Through the relays, Vestfold Marathon wants to give everyone the opportunity to experience the joy of running and participating in a large event, and we put physical activity and social gatherings at the forefront.

Vestfold Marathon is a measured marathon distance of 42,195 meters. The course was control measured by an approved course measurer from Kondis a few years ago. The measurements are only valid for 5 years, so technically the "certificate" has expired.

Course description with food stations

Food station #1: Water, bananas.

After passing Coop Prix Tjølling and the bridge over the railway tracks, the course turns left towards Virik. Here it is slightly hilly on a narrow road in rural surroundings all the way to Store Bergan primary school.

Food station #2: Water, bananas.

The course continues in slightly hilly landscape all the way to Virik, before it plunges down to the center of Sandefjord and the Badeparken.

Food station #3: Water, bananas.

The course goes through Hvaltorvet (yes, through!), into the small streets below Preståsen, back on the walking and cycling path along 303, under the railway tracks and onto Råstadveien. At first, the course is run on the walking and cycling path, but then it becomes more rural and narrower. Solid climb over the railway track, and after another climb you are at Råstad. Halfway!

Food station #4: Water, sports drink, bananas.

From Råstad (start of the half marathon) it is narrow and rural and straight into a longer moderate climb, before it becomes slightly hilly again and finally downhill back to 303 at Sandskje.

Food station #5: Water, sports drink, bananas.

On the way to Stokke there is a walking and cycling path, a steep climb before it is flat and a solid descent to Melsomvik.

Food station #6: Water, sports drink, bananas.

From Melsom school it goes uphill towards Vestfold Golf Course, Vear IF's arenas and all the way to Kiwi Vear. There the trail turns left towards Hognesåsen. From there it goes steeply down to 303 and Jarlsberg racecourse.

Food station #7: Water, sports drink, bananas.

The route runs on a busy pedestrian and cycle path along County Road 300, you can glimpse the Ilene nature reserve on the way towards Shell Kjelle and the commercial area at Korten. The route runs through the old wooden houses in Nordbyen and past the Guest Harbour, before sprinting across the entire pier. The finish line is at Jahn Teigens plass, right next to where the Viking ships are moored.

After the finish line, water, sports drinks, bananas + various surprises will be served.

Quote from Audun Gjelstad Jakobsen, winner of the half marathon in 2023:

"We who ran the half marathon had a great atmosphere at the start! Both from the organizer and from the relay participants who had the last sprint before the changeover. Then we were let loose from Torp and set off on Vestfold's rolling hills. Along every changeover and drinking station, waiting relay participants cheered me on - to good use! And it gave life to tired legs when Slottsfjellet revealed itself. Only a few, flat kilometers left! I will remember running first onto the pier forever. Thank you for a great race! See you next year."

Vestfold Maraton AS is owned by Bedriftsidretten, Tjølling IF, Vear IF and Barkåker IF. In addition, Gjekstad and Østerøya IF (GØIF) are contributing with solid efforts in the implementation.