Therese Johaug targets Valencia Marathon and potential 2028 Olympics

Former cross-country skiing champion Therese Johaug has confirmed her participation in the Valencia Marathon this December. Following a successful performance in the Copenhagen half-marathon, the 38-year-old athlete expressed interest in meeting the marathon qualifying standards for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Johaug stated in her podcast that she feels she is in her best running form to date. She is expected to compete in a group just below the elite field, with a target time between 2:20 and 2:29.

Her transition to long-distance running has drawn mixed reactions from peers. Swedish skiing rival Ebba Andersson expressed concern regarding whether Johaug’s body can withstand the intense training required for a marathon, noting that cross-country skiing is generally less taxing on the body than high-mileage running. Other experts have also voiced caution regarding the physical demands of the pursuit.