OSLO, Norway – May 2025, Former junior world champion in cross-country skiing, Marte Mæhlum Johansen, made a stunning entrance into the marathon world with a time of 2:34:50 at the Hamburg Marathon in late April — a performance that exceeded all expectations and has now ignited Olympic ambitions.
The 27-year-old Norwegian placed 12th among the women in a competitive field, finishing with a time that ranks her among the top 13 female marathoners in Norwegian history.
“I knew I was in good shape, but I didn’t exactly expect to return from Hamburg as the best Norwegian woman,” Johansen told local newspaper Oppland Arbeiderblad.
A Transition from Snow to Streets
Now based in Oslo, Johansen has shifted her athletic focus from skiing to running. While she no longer competes in elite-level cross-country skiing, she remains involved in the sport through roles with the Norwegian Ski Association. Her decision to step away from top-tier skiing is one she says she has never regretted.
Her dedication to training continues — she trains twice daily — and the marathon debut has opened the door to a new chapter in her athletic journey.
Humble Start, Strong Finish
Johansen wasn’t entered in the elite class for the Hamburg race due to her lack of prior qualifying times. Instead, she joined a pacing group led by Danish runners aiming for a 2:35 finish. The first half of the race felt smooth, she recalled, but the second half tested her endurance.
“At the start, it felt really easy, but halfway through, which I passed in 1:17, I felt it starting to slow down,” she said. “So I had to say goodbye to the Danes and ran the second half mostly alone.”
Despite fading slightly in the second half, Johansen pushed on and finished with a time of 2:34:50 — an emotional moment as she crossed the finish line under her goal time.
“Finishing under 2:35 was just an absurd feeling,” she said. “I know I gave everything I had. There wasn’t much left at the finish line.”
Olympic Dreams Take Shape
The impressive debut has given Johansen a bold new ambition: qualifying for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. Reaching that goal would require cutting more than 10 minutes off her Hamburg time, bringing her marathon time down to around 2:23 — a standard for international elite competition.
“It’s scary to say it, but I want to set a bold goal: the Olympics in Los Angeles,” she said. “Right now, I feel like it could be possible.”
With a strong training foundation, youth on her side, and a newfound focus on nutrition and recovery, Johansen is determined to keep improving. She plans to run two or three marathons per year to allow adequate recovery between races.
Her next major race is the Birkebeinerløpet in June, followed by the Berlin Marathon this autumn — known for its fast course and potential for personal bests.
Career Pivots and Persistence
Johansen’s journey to marathon running wasn’t a straight path. In 2021, she had planned to shift into long-distance ski racing through the Ski Classics series. Instead, she chose to deepen her academic focus, studying sports management at the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences.
After graduating, she landed a one-year position at Salomon, a dream job, but the role was temporary. She then moved through a series of positions, including a coaching job at Kickstart Bedrift, which focuses on employee health and wellness.
Eventually, she found work in childcare and currently holds a position at Ulven kindergarten while also teaching ski courses for companies. Despite the challenges of balancing work and high-level training, Johansen remains committed to her athletic goals.
With her Hamburg debut now behind her and a clear vision for the future, Johansen’s marathon journey is just beginning — and the Olympic dream is no longer out of reach.