Olle Meijer and Laila Kveli won Ultravasan 90 2024

A record-breaking 1,401 participants started Ultravasan 90 on Saturday morning, an event that’s been described as the ”Christmas of Swedish ultrarunning.” They faced a 92-kilometre run through the Vasaloppet Arena. It was just 5 degrees Celsius in Berga by in Sälen when the magical start took place at 05:00. However, the sun soon rose, warming both runners and spectators. By the time the first runners crossed the finish line later in the day, it was 18°C in Mora. It was a perfect day for running.

Ultravasan 90 Men
The men’s race featured Sweden’s absolute elite, which in many ways is currently the world’s ultrarunning elite. Last year’s winner, Olle Meijer, was first to reach the highest point of Vasaloppet, 528 metres above sea level, after about 14 minutes of running, closely followed by Anton Gustafsson. These two runners, both selected for the World Championships, also led at the first official checkpoint in Smågan, holding a two-minute lead over five other runners: Joacim Lantz, Mikael Ekvall, Johan Lantz, Andreas Lundegård, and Ebrahim Abdulaziz from Norway. Abdulaziz would turn out to be the best international runner of the day.

Anton Gustafsson, running Ultravasan for the first time, targeted the sprint prize in Mångsbodarna, which he won 42 seconds ahead of Olle Meijer. The other runners fell further behind. American Rajpaul Pannu, who had been discussed as a contender beforehand, had to drop out due to injury in Mångsbodarna.

At Risberg, it became clear that Olle Meijer had outpaced Anton Gustafsson, who arrived at the checkpoint two minutes and 42 seconds later. Meijer, who finished third in 2022 and won in 2023, was now pulling away and would continue to do so.

Olle Meijer won the hill prize in Evertsberg again this year, with a time of 3:17:53. Last year, his lead there was three seconds, but this year, he led by eight minutes over Ebrahim Abdulaziz. Such a large lead in Evertsberg hasn’t been seen since 2019 when American Jim Walmsley won. However, between Evertsberg and Oxberg, Abdulaziz closed the gap by more than four minutes, leaving Meijer with only a 3:30 lead.

In Hökberg, after five hours of running, Meijer’s lead was 1:15 over Abdulaziz. However, Abdulaziz couldn’t close the gap any further. In fact, Meijer extended his lead by 13 seconds over the 10 kilometres between Hökberg and Eldris.

The one-and-a-half-minute lead that Olle Meijer held at the final checkpoint in Eldris, with 9 km to go, was maintained all the way to the finish line. His winning time was 6:15:19, with a final margin of 3:45.
”It feels even better than last year, considering how exciting it got towards the end,” said Olle Meijer. ”It was a bit of a shock in Hökberg when I learned that the gap was just under two minutes, when before that, I had ten minutes. But strangely, I got more energy when I heard someone was chasing me. Even though it was tough being chased, I think it gave me more strength. Energy was the only thing that didn’t go well today. My stomach turned in Oxberg, and I felt low after that, but then I managed to take in half a litre of fluid and a gel in Hökberg, and I felt my energy returning, which was nice, and I could pick up the pace again.”

The unstoppable Meijer is the first male winner since Jonas Buud in 2015 to defend his title in Ultravasan 90. Ebrahim Abdulaziz finished second, 3:45 behind the winner, with Johan Lantz in third place.

Ultravasan 90 Women
Poland’s Dominika Stelmach, who finished second in Ultravasan Elit in 2021, was expected by many to deliver a solo performance on her way to victory. After three kilometres, at the highest point, her lead was 19 seconds ahead of Madeleine Lundell, who has been selected to compete in the 100 km World Championship in December.

At Smågan, the Polish runner’s lead was nearly a minute over Lundell. A further minute behind were the returning Isabellah Andersson and double Vasaloppet winner Laila Kveli from Norway.

By Mångsbodarna, Laila Kveli had moved into second place, just over three minutes behind Dominika Stelmach, who claimed the sprint prize. Madeleine Lundell was in third, the surprise Susanna Sjögren in fourth, and Isabellah Andersson in fifth.

At Risberg, Laila Kveli had gained seven seconds on Stelmach, while the other runners continued to lose ground.

Dominika Stelmach won the hill prize at Evertsberg with a time of 3:57:35, but now Laila Kveli was only a minute and twelve seconds behind. Madeleine Lundell was third at Evertsberg, just over six minutes behind Kveli.

Former elite skier Laila Kveli, who won Vasaloppet in 2013 and 2014 and Tjejvasan in 2015, finished 19th in this year’s Stockholm Marathon. She completed her final elite season in Ski Classics in 2021/2022. Now, making her debut as a runner in the Vasaloppet track, she caught up with Dominika Stelmach with 37 km remaining! At Oxberg, Laila Kveli led the race by 14 seconds and, from that point on, there was no doubt that she was the strongest. She led by five minutes at Hökberg and finished more than ten minutes ahead of second-placed Stelmach. Kveli won a historic victory, becoming the first person to triumph in both Vasaloppet and Ultravasan.

The longest distance Laila Kveli had previously run was the Stockholm Marathon. Surprised, she once again found herself victorious at the finish line in Mora:
”I thought, let the legs take the lead; don’t push too hard but don’t hold back either. After Hökberg, I had to let my head take over when my legs didn’t want to go on…”

”This was tougher than skiing Vasaloppet. It was a struggle. You’re left to your own devices here. On skis, you can tuck into a low position or follow someone else for a while. But in running, it’s really step by step all the way. But I have the ability to maintain a steady pace over long distances; that’s probably my strength. If you keep calm in the beginning, it usually works out in the long run.”

What did you think when you caught up with Dominika Stelmach?
”I thought: ‘Is there really no one else ahead?’ I couldn’t quite believe it. But when more and more people said we were leading, I realized I was competing for the win. Then I just waited for my legs to give out so I’d have to walk, but that moment never came. So, I’m incredibly happy that it held all the way.”

Dominika Stelmach finished second, and Madeleine Lundell came third.

Ultravasan 45 Men
Ultravasan 45 started in Oxberg at 09:00. Dalarna runner Jesper Lundberg, who won in 2023, left all the other runners behind after a few kilometres and ran towards victory. Close behind was Elov Olsson, who previously won Ultravasan 90 but this year chose to run the half-distance.

The winning time of 2:35:53 for Jesper Lundberg was slower than his record time from last year. However, the margin of victory was larger this year; 4:45 ahead of Elov Olsson.
”I felt my heel starting to affect me in the last ten kilometres,” Jesper Lundberg explained. ”I ran a much better race last year, but I still value this win quite highly because I’ve had a lot of issues this year, so it was nice to feel that I can still run well.”

Jonas Buud finished third, adding another podium finish to his long list of achievements.

Ultravasan 45 Women
The women’s race was record-breaking. Jenny Björnberg, who won Trailvasan 30 in 2023, led by twelve seconds ahead of Malin Starfelt at Oxberg. But Malin overtook her and was first to reach Hökberg. At Eldris, she led by a minute and a half ahead of Björnberg.

Malin Starfelt, who earlier this year won the silver medal at the Swedish Championships in conjunction with the Stockholm Marathon, won Ultravasan 45 in her debut and set a new course record. For the first time, a runner finished under three hours: 2:55:19.
”The hills in the first half were tough,” Malin Starfelt said directly after finishing. ”I saw ahead of time that it was a challenging course. I let the others go a bit at the start because I saw how Sifan Hassan did at the Olympics. I run quite easily on flat and downhill sections, so I knew I could manage it.”

Even Jenny Björnberg, who finished second, ran under the previous record time, finishing two minutes behind Malin Starfelt. Last year’s winner, Erika Lech, came third.

Trailvasan 30 Men
Trailvasan 30 was long a duel between British Andrew Davies and Erik Linnér. They arrived at the Eldris checkpoint together, but Andrew Davies finished a full minute ahead.
”It was a tough race, but I’m very happy now,” said Andrew Davies, who is on holiday in Sweden and decided to run Trailvasan 30. ”We set a good pace, and he ran well downhill. He pulled ahead, but I caught up and managed to pull away.”

Erik Linnér finished second, five seconds ahead of Simon Karlsson.

Trailvasan 30 Women
A duel also developed in the women’s Trailvasan 30. Lovisa Modig led the race; a former elite skier, like Laila Kveli. Lovisa won the 10,000 metre Swedish Championship this summer, and at Eldris, her lead was 30 seconds.

However, Barbro Fjällstedt Oljans, who won Ultravasan 45 two years ago and was second last year, began to close in on Lovisa Modig after Eldris. Just as Barbro was about to catch up, Lovisa pulled ahead again. In the end, Lovisa won by a margin of 26 seconds, setting a new record time of 1:57:17.
”I went really hard in the first half, even though I hadn’t planned to. I could feel her getting closer, so I knew I had to pick up the pace. She was closer than I thought.”

Hannah Langelotz finished third.

Vasastafetten
The 32nd Vasastafetten, which also ran on Saturday, was won by Hällefors Löparklubb in the men’s class with a time of 6.44.00. Varpan Wolfpack took home the victory in the women’s class with a time of 7.06.59.

In total, 288 relay teams were registered. 2024 was the last year with competition classes. From 2025 onwards, Vasastafetten will become a recreational race, just like Stafettvasan in winter.

RESULTS
Ultravasan 90 Men, 92 km, Sälen–Mora, 2024-08-17
1 Meijer, Olle (SWE) Hälle IF, 6.15.19
2 Abdulaziz, Ebrahim (NOR) Strindheim IL, 6.19.04
3 Lantz, Johan (SWE) Hoka / Ockelbo SK, 6.34.12
4 Lantz, Joacim (SWE) Ockelbo, 6.35.27
5 Enell, Alfons (SWE) SOL Tranås, 6.46.54
6 Anfält, Erik (SWE) Örebro AIK, 6.48.45
7 Klasén, Jakob (SWE) Tyresö, 6.54.45
8 Olsson, Oscar (SWE) Team Längdskidspecialisten, 7.06.25
9 Lagerskog, John (SWE) Trångsvikens IF, 7.07.15
10 Lundegård, Andreas (SWE) FK Studenterna, 7.17.26

Sprint prizes Ultravasan 90 Men 2024
Mångsbodarna: Anton Gustafsson, 1.40.53
Hill Prize Evertsberg: Olle Meijer, 3.17.53
Hökberg: Olle Meijer, 4.58.57

Ultravasan 90 Women, 92 km, Sälen–Mora, 2024-08-17
1 Kveli, Laila (NOR) Namdal Løpeklubb, 7.18.24
2 Stelmach, Dominika (POL) Stelmach Team – The art of distance, 7.28.35
3 Lundell, Madeleine (SWE) Vänersborgs AIK, 7.46.31
4 Sjögren, Susanna (SWE) Falun, 7.49.19
5 Olsmats, Eleonora (SWE) Djursholm, 7.58.59
6 Ericsson, Ellinor (SWE) Umara Sports Club, 8.03.26
7 Smedman, Sofia (SWE) Craft run team, 8.10.07
8 Parnebo, Jessica (SWE) Kville IF, 8.27.15
9 Sundquist, Moa (SWE) Sportcity Skellefteå, 8.27.39
10 Miracolo, Sophia (SWE) Yxlan, 8.28.23

Sprint prizes Ultravasan 90 Women 2024
Mångsbodarna: Dominika Stelmach, 2.01.32
Hill Prize Evertsberg: Dominika Stelmach, 3.57.35
Hökberg: Laila Kveli, 5.51.05

Ultravasan 45 Men, 45 km, Oxberg–Mora, 2024-08-17
1 Lundberg, Jesper (SWE) Äppelbo, 2.35.53
2 Olsson, Elov (SWE) Ockelbo SK, Hoka, 2.40.38
3 Buud, Jonas (SWE) IFK Mora, 2.52.25
4 Svahn, Emil (SWE) Runacademy IF, 2.56.11
5 Martinsson, Björn (SWE) Vänersborgs AIK, 2.57.40
6 Timme, Hauke (GER) TSV Fahrdorf, 2.57.53
7 Bergström, Oscar (SWE) Assemblin, 2.58.15
8 Joten, Pål Åge (NOR) Malmer, 2.59.02
9 Sunnerberg, Stefan (SWE) Brudpiga RK, 3.03.56
10 Bergman, Thomas (SWE) Gagnef IF, 3.06.33

Ultravasan 45 Women, 45 km, Oxberg–Mora, 2024-08-17
1 Starfelt, Malin (SWE) Runacademy IF, 2.55.19
2 Björnberg, Jenny (SWE) Falu IK Friidrott, 2.57.19
3 Lech, Erica (SWE) Örebro AIK, 3.04.56
4 Aho, Hanna (SWE) P 7, 3.11.13
5 Aurdal, Ingvild (NOR) Romerike ultraløper klubb, 3.30.10
6 Skak, Louise (DEN) Fjelltid Folldal / Romerike Ultraløperklubb, 3.44.07
7 Westerlund, Veronica (SWE) Molkoms SK, 3.52.26
8 Lidman, Lovisa (SWE) Falun, 3.52.57
9 Heens, Lisa (SWE) Hunflens löparsällskap, 3.57.18
10 Casparson, Caroline (SWE) Casparson Måleri AB, 3.58.43

Trailvasan 30 Men, 30 km, Oxberg–Mora, 2024-08-17
1 Davies, Andrew (GBR) New Balance, 1.43.41
2 Linnér, Erik (SWE) IFK Umeå, 1.44.41
3 Karlsson, Simon (SWE) Tisdagsklubben Örebro, 1.44.46
4 Westerlund, Mattias (SWE) Junsele IF, 1.52.12
5 Johansson, Erik (SWE) Katrineholms SK FK, 1.53.17
6 Hermansson, Andreas (SWE) Perbellum sportsällskap, 1.54.05
7 Mannberg, Andreas (SWE) Malungs IF, 1.54.11
8 Lundström, David (SWE) Tisdagsklubben Örebro, 1.54.25
9 Lundgren Björnqvist, Christoffer (SWE) Katrineholm SK Friidrott, 1.55.17
10 Broman, Fredrik (SWE) Springresor Hälsingland IF, 1.56.00

Trailvasan 30 Women, 30 km, Oxberg–Mora, 2024-08-17
1 Modig, Lovisa (SWE) Torsby, 1.57.17
2 Fjällstedt Oljans, Barbro (SWE) Säter FIK, 1.57.43
3 Langelotz, Hannah (SWE) Sundborn, 2.03.51
4 Öblom Delattre, Isabelle (SWE) FK Studenterna, 2.10.37
5 Rosdal, Kajsa (SWE) Tisdagsklubben Örebro, 2.10.42
6 Rutström, Jenny (SWE) Öbacka LK, 2.11.22
7 Mohn, Sofie (NOR) Magnor UL, 2.12.51
8 Saxvall, Maria (SWE) Torsångs IF/HR Dalarna, 2.13.55
9 Johansson, Elin (SWE) Runacademy, 2.15.27
10 Norgren, Sofia (SWE) Ludvika LFFI, 2.15.38

Results >

The 100th Kranskulla and 36th Kransmas
This year’s Kranskulla is Elsa Hermansson (Kranskulla no. 100), and the Kransmas is Gustav Johnsson (Kransmas no. 36), both are elite ski orienteers from IFK Mora.

Medal Times
All participants who finish Ultravasan 90, Ultravasan 45, Trailvasan 30, Trailvasan 10 and Vasastafetten receive a medal. A special achievement medal in Ultravasan 90 is awarded to those who finish within set medal times. Medal times are: Men under 10 hours (9:59:59). Women under 11:36 (11:35:59).

Prizes
The winners of Ultravasan 90 will receive a medal, a victory wreath, and 60,000 SEK. The winner of Ultravasan 45 will receive 15,000 SEK, and the winner of Trailvasan 30 will receive 10,000 SEK. Ultravasan 90 also offers sprint prizes in Mångsbodarna (5,000 SEK) and Hökberg (5,000 SEK), as well as a hill prize in Evertsberg (10,000 SEK). The winners of Vasastafetten will receive 15,000 SEK. The total prize pool for the runners on Saturday is 401,000 kronor.

Vasaloppet.TV: See all finishes >

FACTS/Previous winners of Ultravasan 90, Ultravasan 45 and Trailvasan 30
Ultravasan 90, men
2014 Jonas Buud, IFK Mora FK (SWE), 6.02.03
2015 Jonas Buud, IFK Mora FK (SWE), 5.45.08 (Record time!)
2016 Jarle Risa, Undheim IL (NOR), 6.11.49
2017 Elov Olsson, Ockelbo SK (SWE), 6.07.37
2018 Fritjof Fagerlund, LK Roslagen (SWE), 6.01.56
2019 Jim Walmsley, Hoka One One (USA) 5.47.28
2020 Ultravasan was part of Hemmavasan, no winner was crowned
2021 Sébastien Spehler, Team Salomon (FRA), 6.09.45
2022 Viktor Stenqvist, Billingen X-trail Sports Club (SWE), 6.19.07
2023 Olle Meijer, Högby IF (SWE), 6.46.13

Ultravasan 90, women
2014 Holly Rush, Team Bath AC (GBR), 7.09.04
2015 Jasmin Nunige, Switzerland (SUI), 7.02.35
2016 Jasmin Nunige, Track Club Davos (SUI), 6.54.32
2017 Ida Nilsson, Högby IF (SWE), 6.51.26
2018 Alexandra Morozova, Russia (RUS), 6.43.55 (Record time!)
2019 Alexandra Morozova, Ural (RUS) 7.11.07
2020 Ultravasan was part of Hemmavasan, no winner was crowned
2021 Alexandra Morozova, Ural (RUS), 6.48.36
2022 Anna Hellström, Enebybergs IF (SWE), 7.40.51
2023 Ida Nilsson, Högby IF (SWE), 7.23.54

Ultravasan 45, men
2014 Roman Ryapolov, IFK Mora FK (RUS), 2.49.47
2015 Fritjof Fagerlund, Rånäs 4H (SWE), 2.45.30
2016 Roman Ryapolov, IFK Mora OK (RUS), 2.41.47
2017 Erik Anfält, Örebro AIK (SWE), 2.40.28
2018 David Nilsson, Högby IF/MotionMetrix (SWE), 2.39.33
2019 Fredrik Eriksson, IK Akele (SWE) 2.49.21
2020 Ultravasan was part of Hemmavasan, no winner was crowned
2021 Kristofer Låås, Keep Up RC (SWE), 2.41.04
2022 Kristofer Låås, Keep Up RC (SWE), 2.39.47
2023 Jesper Lundberg, (SWE) Hunflens LS, 2.34.29 (Record time!)

Ultravasan 45, women
2014 Gloria Vinstedt, Sweden (SWE), 3.28.13
2015 Caroline Dubois, France (FRA), 3.13.22
2016 Lisa Ring, IK Nocout.se (SWE), 3.04.18
2017 Joasia Zakrzewski, United Kingdom (GBR), 3.06.12
2018 Lisa Ring, IK nocout.se (SWE), 3.03.00
2019 Sofia Byhlinder, IFK Mora Friidrott (SWE), 3.09.40
2020 Ultravasan was part of Hemmavasan, no winner was crowned
2021 Liselotte Hellsten, Spårvägen (SWE), 3.05.38
2022 Barbro Näsström, Säter FIK (SWE), 3.02.47
2023 Erica Lech, (SWE) Örebro AIK, 3.02.09

Trailvasan 30, men
2022 Adhanom Abraha, Eritrea (ERI), 1.41.02
2023 Martin Nilsson, (SWE) IFK Umeå, 1.38.51 (Record time!)

Trailvasan 30, women
2022 Maria Larsson, (SWE), 2.00.47
2023 Jenny Björnberg, (SWE) Falu IK Friidrott, 1.58.52

NOTE: At vasaloppet.se/results, the 2021 races are listed as ”Ultravasan 90 Elit” and ”Ultravasan 45 Elit.” Due to the pandemic, these were elite races with a limited number of participants. The results from these two races cannot be found under ”All Ultravasan 90” or ”All Ultravasan 45”; they must be selected separately.

All top ten placements in Ultravasan 90, Ultravasan 45 and Trailvasan 30 since the start >
PDF (in Swedish) >

Vasaloppet’s Summer Week 2025
Registration for the races in Vasaloppet’s Summer Week 2025 is already open on Vasaloppet’s website: www.vasaloppet.se (Early Bird discount until August 27, 2024.)

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