The days had been cold and frosty right until the start day of the first ever Birkebeinerrittet China. The sun was shining on 130 participants from 14 countries who could race on a challenging track in good shape. A great start for this new event in China!

Although most participants in Changchun were Chinese, two foreigners secured the first places in the Elite 60 km race, Travis Melville from Great Britain and Amy Bainbridge from Australia. Travis finished in little more than 2 hours and 20 minutes while Amy finished in a time equal to a 10th place in the men‘s race.

Representatives from Birkebeinerrittet Norway was on site in Changchun evaluate the event. They also took part in the race themselves where Ms Ingunn Ronningen Kleven took an honourable 2nd place and Morten Nergard came 8th on the 30 km race. This was a first test run to determine the future possibilities of the event. The Norwegian representatives were very positive to the race and Birkebeinerrittet will almost surely become an annual event on the second weekend in October. 
The Norwegian organizing committe plans to have seminars on technique, training and the fun of biking in addition to the race. In cooperation with Nordic Ways, they hope to further promote mountain biking to the chinese people and to also make this event a good opportunity for cross cultural exchange.   

The Chinese have used the bicycle a lot for transports to school and work, but now when cars and electric bikes start to take over, it is even more interesting to promote the way of using cycling as a for recreation and exercise as in the Nordic countries. Birkebeinerrittet China is also a chance for foreigners to come to China for an adventurous biking trip in combination with a visit to the Olympic City Beijing etc.

At last, a big thank you to all participants in BIrkebeinerrittet China 2008, you made this a great first year and we hope you still want to be with us next year for an even bigger event!  

Click here for the 2008 result list