Urskogsloppet

Urskogsloppet is a recreational race through old-growth forest in Örnsköldsvik Municipality, organised by Björna IF. There are two distances: the original 19.7 km race (starting in Backe/Berg and finishing at Bigvallen in Björna) and a shorter 6.6 km race (starting and finishing at Bigvallen). The course partly follows the Urskogsleden hiking trail and runs mainly on easy forest paths over logs and rocks, with some wet and uneven terrain. Urskogsloppet has been held since 2009 and always takes place on the Saturday before Midsummer.

Participant cap: 350. Registration, parking and changing facilities are at the school in Björna; for the long race, a bus takes runners to the start in Backe after registration. Personal bags can be left at the start and collected at the finish. Food is available to purchase in the school cafeteria (cost: 120 kr; deadline to book a meal: 2026-06-01). Registration must be completed by 10:00 on race day (online registration closes 2026-06-10 at 20:00), but on-site late registration may be available if places remain. Cut-off times: the checkpoint at 6 km closes 1 hour 40 minutes after the start, the checkpoint at 13 km closes 3 hours after the start, and the finish closes 4 hours 10 minutes after the start. Changing rooms and showers are available at the sports hall and swimming pool. Participation is at your own risk. Terrain: mud and easy paths with rocks and brush; sometimes wet and uneven. The race is capped at 350 participants. Register via Svenskalag.se (Björna IF's club page). Held together with Lilla Urskogsloppet and Knatteloppet for children up to 13 years old.