"The greatest thing I have ever done!"

It is dead of night, the thermometer shows minus 20 degrees. At the edge of the woods appears a light. It is the team number 71 of Finnmarksløp 500, steered by Lena Larsen, a former drug-addic, now living in a community in Langfjorden. She has been through a lot in her life, but after finishing the race she was convinced about one thing: that was "The greatest thing I have ever done!"

Her community in Langfjorden has seven residents. Two of them are taking part in Finnmarksløp 500 this year, Lena and Cecilie Hansen. The 20 years old girl is Lenas handler. Cecilie tells, that she has a big dream. She wants to take part at Finnmarksløp next year. She will be allowed to do that, if she keeps her hands off drugs. Trude Rød, the leader of the community and one of four employees, who are escorting the two girls, is nodding confirmative. "The participation came with strings attached. To check it we use for example urine samples."

While we are waiting for Lena who is coming closer to the finish line, Trude explains that it is very important that the inhabitant follows the whole race. The community profits from this in a positive way. But most important is Lena herself and the valuable experience she has made.

Some people are waiting for Lena at Strand Camping, amongst others Lena’s mother. She was one of Lenas handlers and drove to each checkpoint. There she prepared meals, dryed clothes and motivated her daughter. She tells, that she is from Alta, but she did not grasp Finnmarksløpet. Until now!

Now it is 3:03, Lena Larsen and her team are coming across the finish line. She embraces her mother and her friends with stiff limbs. A smile appears on her face, during she is celebrated. She can not believe that she has done it.

Lena is 24 years old. She was highly addicted to drugs, mostly to amphetamine.She has been living in the community for two years and everything is fine. The evidence is her participation in Finnmarksløpet. The young ace really likes to talk about her race. She does not think that it was difficult. After a moment she adds that it was very cold on the Tana-river. Furthermore she had to fight against the sleep. Once I dozed off while I was standing on the sledge. Just like some other mushers she told about hallucinating out in the wilderness. She reported seeing seeing flying donuts on the vidda. But now, there is only one thing on her mind: "Now I will sleep the whole day!"