Bring your running shoes! Bring your family! Bring your appetite for Norwegian salmon, cheese and, certainly not least, those heavenly, heavenly waffles! Bring your lucky charms for the great raffle prizes! ..It's the 13th Annual Norwegian Festival in Central Park, on Saturday, October 6th!
10/3/2007 :: 
After 12 years, the Norwegian Festival in Central Park - a collaboration between the Royal Norwegian Consulate in New York and the New York Road Runners - has established itself in the minds of New Yorkers as one of the great fall-time sporting events.
Last year, close to 8000 runners participated in the three races which go through the beautiful Central Park in New York City, and even more joined us in the festival area, where there was great music and food for adults, and all sorts of competitions and fun activities for kids.
This year, the event will take place on the morning of SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6TH, in the Bandshell area of Central Park (Mid-park, from 66th-72nd streets).
The three races will be, as always:
Norway Run: 1.7 Miles. The run begins at 8.15 a.m., starting and finishing at TAVERN ON THE GREEN in Central Park.
Grete's Great Gallop: 13.1 Miles. This race is named in honor of Grete Waitz, 9-time New York Marathon winner. Grete will be present at the event. This run starts at 9.00 a.m. at the EAST DRIVE AT 70TH STREET and ends at TAVERN ON THE GREEN.
Troll Stroll: This run is for children between 2 and 10 years old, and the run starts at 10.30 a.m. at the CENTER ROAD, just west of the Bandshell/festival area.
This year's featured artist will be Norwegian singer/songwriter Marion Raven, who will perform her catchy pop music at the Bandshell.
This year, why don't you join the magic that is the Norwegian Festival Yourself?
BE A PART OF THE FESTIVAL - SIGN UP FOR THE RACES HERE.
Also, this year you have even more of a reason to join: Your run will benefit children suffering from HIV/AIDS: Norwegian oil company Statoil-Hydro will contribute $1 for every sign-up to UNICEF and Right To Play's work with children in developing countries. Read more about "Unite for Children" here.
Other festival highlights include a Norwegian Folk Dance showcase, and much more rockin' music, fabulous food, incredible raffle prizes and fun for kids of all ages.
Please visit this site again soon for up-to-date information!
Last year's winning entry for the Troll Stroll t-shirts.
Thor-Arne Englund / Royal Norwegian Consulate General, New York City