Kristian Blummenfelt and Gustav Iden have put Norway on the triathlon map to an unprecedented degree through their racing and training antics. Not to be ignored, a cohort of Norwegian triathletes recently took on the Barcelona half marathon.
The half marathon represented an early opportunity in the year to test out running fitness before sharpening as the triathlon season proper takes hold.
Solveig Løvseth was among those that took part.
Løvseth made her WTCS debut in Yokohama in 2021. She finished 24th that day which remains her best finish at the WTCS level. Over the past two seasons, Løvseth has been consistent at the world level without quite breaking through.
Thus far, her cycling has been a particular strength. However, in Barcelona she showed that her run has made great progress over the winter.
Løvseth had a chip time of 1:13:10. On paper, that should put her in the conversation to be able to run a 34-low 10km. That would put her towards the business end of the field at the end of Olympic distance triathlons.
Of course, it is no guarantee that run times will translate across. Still, a half marathon is a very good indicator of fitness and running form and as such we may be able to expect a big season from Løvseth.
Meanwhile, Løvseth was joined by fellow WTCS athlete Velte Bergsvik Thorn.
Thorn produced a time of 1:11:46.
Last season, Thorn finished 26th overall in the WTCS. The highlight of his 2022, though, came at the Bergen World Cup where he notched the bronze medal behind Dorian Coninx and Kristian Blummenfelt. In Bergen, he ran a 14:48 5km so he has plenty of ability on the run. His time in Barcelona may therefore indicate that he is in heavy training.
Likewise, it reinforces just how impressive Løvseth was.
Sebastian Wernersen was another Norwegian in Barcelona and he ran a time of 1:08:40. Last year, Wernersen was the Norwegian champion over the Sprint distance. He also finished 30th at World U23 Championships in 2022. Being born in 2002, he will have a few more shots at that championship over the next couple of seasons.
Finally Ola Rasmussen Vestbø ran 1:13:30. Last year’s Norwegian Junior champion, Rasmussen Vestbø graduated from the Junior ranks at the turn of this year and will be racing at the U23 level going forward.
His best international performance so far has been a 9th place at the European Junior Cup in Riga, Latvia, last August.
There are worst places for a training race than Barcelona and each athlete can take heart from their showings ahead of the new season.
