09/12/25
Bodø Run Festival Levels Up: Ramsalt Becomes the Heart of the Action
Bodø Run Festival is shifting its core experience to Ramsalt, creating a vibrant new hub where the Hot & Salty sauna village will anchor both atmosphere and post-race recovery – while the running itself continues through the streets of Bodø.
1,500 participants gathered at the starting line in downtown Bodø in 2025 — a powerful display of collective running joy that sets the tone for the Bodø Run Festival. Next year, the festival base will move to Ramsalt. (Photo: Daniel Lilleeng/Bodø Run Festival)
– The festival now gets a new focal point and an even more concentrated experience. We live in an extremely compact city, which gives us the opportunity to create the world’s most compact race,” says Thomassen.
Everything within walking distance
The concept of a “compact race” is all about giving participants short distances to everything – transport, hotels, the start area, food and drink, and all festival experiences.
– People can arrive by plane, bus, train or boat, walk to Quality Hotel Ramsalt and straight to the start. No one needs transportation within the city. You can practically step off the plane, put on your running shoes, head to the start, complete the race, grab a bite, and run back to the airport in time for your flight home the same day,” the race leadership explains.
With the move, the Ramsalt district becomes the hub of the festival. This is where the EXPO, restaurants and the new Hot & Salty sauna village will be closely integrated into the event.
– We get everything in one place, and that allows us to create a compact, content-rich and truly outstanding festival,” says Thomassen.
Aiming for 5,000 participants
With the festival moving to Ramsalt, the organizers see new opportunities for scaling up without losing the race’s identity. As early as 2026, they aim for 2,500 participants, which would make it one of the larger city races in Northern Norway.
And the ambitions don’t stop there.
– By 2027 we hope to welcome 5,000 runners. The area we are establishing ourselves in is exclusive and has everything we need. Here in Ramsalt we can host large groups while still preserving the compact and close-knit feeling that makes Bodø Run Festival unique,” says Thomassen.
For her, the growth is not just about numbers, but about using Bodø’s qualities to their full potential.
– We are not just building a race, we are building an identity and an experience. When people come here, they should feel that the whole city is working together. And when we reach 5,000 participants, it should still feel like Bodø Run Festival: compact, energetic and close to everything,” Thomassen says.
City Hall Square becomes start and finish
From 2026, both the start and finish lines will be located at City Hall Square. Participants will be guided through a city-center course where spectators, urban life and festival atmosphere blend together.
– Our goal is that everyone, runners, spectators and partners – will use the Ramsalt area actively. That Ramsalt becomes the natural hub of the Bodø Run Festival,” says Thomassen.
Arve Pedersen, Director of Leasing and Relations at Hundholmen Byutvikling, is pleased with the collaboration in Ramsalt.
“We want to create experiences in Bodø’s city center and contribute to activity and urban life. This is about showing how compact Bodø really is for travelers, runners and everyone who uses the city for recreation,” says Pedersen.
Race director Gro-Marie Thomassen and Director of Leasing and Relations at Hundholmen Byutvikling, Arve Pedersen, are working together to make Ramsalt the hub of the Bodø Run Festival, with the goal of creating year-round experiences in the city center. (Photo: Christine Karijord)
Swim & Run – New event launching in 2026
In addition to the main festival, a brand-new event will be introduced in 2026: SwimRun.
– We’re getting a fantastic harbor pool next to the Hot & Salty sauna village in Ramsalt, and it opens up completely new possibilities. Participants will swim in the harbor pool, run into the hotel to change, and then head straight out for the run. It’s a short-travel triathlon experience — without the bike, Thomassen explains.
SwimRun will not take place during the Bodø Run Festival itself, but will be organized as a separate, low-threshold event throughout the year.
Low-threshold activity is what drives me. It should be inclusive and easy to join, and I want exciting things to happen in our city all year round, says Thomassen.
Barnas Bodø Run Festival gathered 350 young participants in 2025 for their own children’s race held ahead of the main event. The run takes place on closed streets in downtown Bodø, offering a safe and festive start to the race day. (Photo: Daniel Lilleeng/Bodø Run Festival)
Morning jogs, public health and a creative race director
Bodø Run continues its regular activities, including Monday intervals and the popular Friday morning jog.
– Our ‘morrajogg’ now starts and finishes here in Ramsalt. Participants will eventually be able to use the sauna facilities once they’re ready, and maybe we’ll grab breakfast or a coffee at the hotel. Over time, there will be more surprises for those who join us, the race director smiles.
Having a permanent office at Sjøgata 27 also makes everyday operations easier.
– The nameplate is up, the coffee maker is in place, now I’m here to stay,” says Thomassen, who is constantly brimming with ideas and new thoughts for the city.
– We want to create great events in collaboration with everyone who wants to contribute. If anyone has ideas, just send them our way. We’re open to a lot, Thomassen says.
Arve Pedersen sums up the shared vision:
– This is about public health, activity and experiences – building a strong brand for Bodø Run Festival, for Ramsalt, and for Bodø as a destination. Not just once a year, but throughout the entire year, Pedersen concludes.