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Hedda Skaug’s clear rule after another personal best: “I would regret it”

From Aftenposten · () Norwegian

Translated from Norwegian and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Context piece
  • Norwegian runner and training influencer Hedda Skaug placed second at the Drammen Half Marathon in 1:14:01, improving her time for the fourth consecutive race.
  • Skaug says dedication, hard training and balance have driven her progress, but she will not give up friends, family or enjoying life for elite competition.
  • Her time remains slower than recent Norwegian international qualifying standards, though commentators say her development shows significant potential.

Hedda Skaug keeps setting personal bests, but the 23-year-old runner says she will not trade away her life outside training to chase faster times. “If I had chosen these things away, I would regret it in five to 10 years,” she told VG, referring to friends and family.

If I had chosen these things away, I would regret it in five to 10 years.

· Hedda SkaugShe explained why she refuses to sacrifice friends and family for elite training.

Skaug finished second in the elite race at the Drammen Half Marathon in 1:14:01, just 23 seconds behind winner Madelene Wanvik Holum. Holum recently represented Norway in the 5,000 meters at the European Championships in Birmingham and said Skaug could become one of Norway’s best runners over the distance.

Skaug made her half-marathon debut last year. She has now raced four times and improved on every occasion, cutting more than four minutes from her time in a year. She credits dedicated training rather than motivation. “You cannot talk about motivation when it comes to running. It is about dedication and showing up for the sessions even when it is difficult,” she said.

You cannot talk about motivation when it comes to running. It is about dedication and showing up for the sessions even when it is difficult.

· Hedda SkaugShe described the work behind her repeated improvements.

Still, Skaug does not describe herself as an elite athlete. She says she wants to have fun, enjoy being young and remain available for social activities. She also works through social media and says any larger sporting commitment would have to fit around her everyday life.

There is no doubt that she can become one of Norway’s best runners over the distance.

· Madelene Wanvik HolumThe Drammen Half Marathon winner assessed Skaug’s potential.

Her current time remains above Norway’s international standards, which were 1:10:30 for the 2024 European Championships and 1:09:00 for this year’s World Championships. NRK commentator Jann Post said Skaug has clear talent and steady development, but warned that progress would become harder as she tried to take further minutes off her time.

She clearly has running talent, has developed steadily and is getting better and better.

· Jann PostThe NRK athletics commentator praised Skaug’s progress.
About this summary

Originally published by Aftenposten in Norwegian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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