Finspång Trail Loop Ultra
The MRC Finspång Trail Loop Ultra is a 50 km race held in Finspång, Sweden, about 200 km southwest of Stockholm. Organized by MRC Finspång, a chapter of the global MRC running club, the event draws trail runners from across the region and beyond.
The course consists of a 10 km loop repeated five times, with each loop starting and finishing at the same location. The trail itself is technical and varied, weaving through animal tracks, rocky terrain, dense forests, and scenic ridgelines. Each loop features approximately 400 meters of elevation gain, making it a challenging yet rewarding experience.
| Distance | Elevation |
|---|---|
| 52 km / 32.3 miles | 6040 ft ↗️ 6056 ft ↘️ |
Photo credit: Alex Zauner
Arriving in Finspang
Our journey to Finspång began with a flight from Berlin to Stockholm, followed by a two-hour train ride through the Swedish countryside. We arrived in the early afternoon and checked into our hotel at the Castle—a historic estate that has been beautifully converted into a hotel.
After settling in, we explored the castle grounds, grabbed a few essentials from the local grocery store, and headed out for a short shakeout run around town. Toward the end of the run, we passed by the race’s starting point and got a preview of the final hill climb and descent to the finish line—an early glimpse of the challenge that awaited us the next day.
The race has a 10 km loop that is repeated up to 5 times. Runners can choose to run fewer loops which makes the race more accessible to a wider range of runners.
Loop 1: Charting the route
| Race time | Split |
|---|---|
| 1:05:41 | 1:05:41 |
The race began at 8 AM, with 114 runners gathered at the start line. There was a buzz of excitement in the air as we listened to the welcoming remarks. As we began to line up, Uppbrott by Matti Bye played over the speakers, adding to the energy that surrounded us.
The course started with a 2 km stretch along a gravel road before leading us into the forest—where the real race began. The terrain quickly became more technical, demanding full attention with each step.
On the early ascents, I found a steady rhythm and began to pass a few runners. Eventually, I fell into pace with a small group of three others, and we ran much of the loop together. As we approached the final climb, I held my pace and pushed to the top, then descended back to the starting point to complete the first loop.
That opening lap gave me a solid feel for the course and helped me plan how to manage the rest of the race. I finished the loop strong, sitting about six minutes behind the lead runner.
On the final descent, a race photographer captured a few action shots as I made my way toward the aid station—legs pumping, focus sharp, and the trail flying beneath me. Photo credit: Alex Zauner
Photo credit: Alex Zauner
Photo credit: Alex Zauner
Photo credit: Alex Zauner
Loop 2: Feeling good until...
| Race time | Split |
|---|---|
| 2:24:38 | 1:18:57 |
At the aid station, I took a brief stop to wrap some Leuko tape around my toes, where I had started to feel a few hot spots developing. The shoes I was wearing weren’t fully broken in, and I could tell my feet were still adjusting to the fit.
Most of the second loop went smoothly. I found a comfortable rhythm and ran mostly alone, with a few other runners spaced out nearby. But around the 8 km mark, on a flat and seemingly easy section, I lost focus for a moment and rolled my ankle. It was one of the worst sprains I’ve experienced while running. I had to slow to a walk, trying to assess the damage and regain some mobility before easing back into a jog. It was a careless mistake—one that could’ve been avoided had I stayed more alert.
By the time I completed Loop 2 and returned to the aid station, my ankle was throbbing. I pulled off my shoe to inspect it, expecting the worst, but there was no visible swelling. After a few moments of deliberation, I decided to push on.
Loop 3: Entering the pain cave
| Race time | Split |
|---|---|
| 3:53:33 | 1:28:55 |
After finishing Loop 2, I took a slightly longer break at the aid station—refueling with some food and water, and giving my ankle a bit of rest. I set off on the third loop alongside a fellow runner, and the two of us managed to keep pace with each other for most of the way.
Around the 5 km mark, the fatigue began to set in, and the pain from the sprained ankle became more noticeable. While I was still able to navigate the route confidently, the effort started to shift from physical to mental. Each climb and descent demanded more focus, and finishing the loop became a test of willpower as much as endurance.
Loop 4: Running on flumes
| Race time | Split |
|---|---|
| 5:27:57 | 1:34:24 |
After completing the third loop, I took a longer break at the aid station to rest my ankle and get some more food down with a particular craving for pickles and salty crisps. After about five minutes, I was feeling slightly better—just enough to convince myself to head back out for Loop 4.
This loop turned out to be one of the most challenging. The temperature had started to climb, and with it came a wave of fatigue. My ankle pain was worsening with each step, and every uneven patch of trail required extra concentration. It was a grind, both physically and mentally, just to keep moving forward.
Photo credit: Alex Zauner
Loop 5: The final loop
| Race time | Split |
|---|---|
| 7:02:27 | 1:34:31 |
After finishing the fourth loop, I saw my friend Henn, who was eager to get back on the trail and offered to join me for the final lap. I was incredibly grateful for the company and decided to ease into the pace for the start of Loop 5.
We set off together and ran side by side for the first 4 km, keeping each other motivated and holding a steady rhythm. After taking my last energy gel, I felt a surprising surge of energy and decided to pick up the pace.
By kilometer 7, I found my groove and began to close in on another runner ahead. We fell into an unspoken race with each other, pushing hard for the next 2 km. Eventually, I realized I couldn’t maintain that intensity and backed off to conserve energy for the final climb.
Reaching the top of the last hill, my legs began to cramp badly. All that remained was a 100-meter descent to the finish, but I could barely walk straight. Fortunately, two runners still on their fourth loop passed by and offered their support. With their help, I made it across the finish line.
The moment I crossed, I collapsed to the ground—overwhelmed with joy, pain, and relief. I was deeply thankful for the kindness of those runners. I couldn't have finished without them.
Photo credit: Alex Zauner
Afterword
The Finspång Trail Loop Ultra was my second official race—and my first ultra. It was an incredibly demanding challenge that tested not only physical endurance but, more importantly, mental resilience. It was exactly the kind of race I had been searching for, and I couldn’t be happier to have taken part.
The laid-back atmosphere, paired with the dedication and warmth of the MRC Finspång organizers, made the event truly special. I was thrilled to get a real taste of trail running and even more grateful for the chance to connect with new friends along the way.
Thanks for reading! If you have any questions or just want to chat about the race, feel free to reach out to me on Instagram: @andrewtpham.
Happy trails!