Skrevet av: Niels Westphal
Dato: 27.02.2006 09:17
Finnmarksløpet has for many years started in the pedestrian area in the centre of town. However, most activities both before and after the start has happened at Alta Strand Camping about 10 km from the city centre. This year it is going to be different.
When the mushers cross the finish line after hundreds of kilometers across the mountain plateau it is at the same place as where they started - in the middle of the city centre in the county’s largest city.
As the finish is moved to the city centre, the other operations connected to Finnmarksløpet are moved there as well. Many mushers, handlers and dogs will be staying at Strand Camping before and after the race, but the other race-functions will be moved from the camp ground to Finnmarkløpets’ headquarters at "Håndverkshuset" in the city centre.
"Håndverkshuset" is situated right beside the start- and finish area and is usually a large store that sells arts and crafts from Alta and Finnmark. Finnmarksløpet also has its main office in the same building. During the race the store is re-arranged, and there will be enough room for everyone
Check www.altahandverk.no<
The Info kiosk in "Håndverkshuset" will open Monday afternoon and stay open in the days that follow. Later in the week the race-café, press centre and secretariat will also open at the same location. There will be people on the house 24-7 during the whole 2006 Finnmarksløp and it will be the hub for everyone who’s not on the trails.
As the finish has been moved to the city centre, so have also the winner ceremonies for both the 500 km and the 1000 km race. This means that a lot more people can take part in the celebration of the winning teams. Check the local newspapers’ web-camera here - the start/finish line and "Håndverkshuset" is at the end of the street.
Moving the different race operations may lead to slight time-changes for some parts of the program. Check the program and other postings for updated info.