We're experiencing three major strikes at the moment, including one by
journalists, but this story was posted before the strike began.  Gunnhild
Halle Haugen is a track star here.

"In connection with the women's street race 'Spring Leap', Petter Stordalen
promised a weekend at one of his Clarion Hotels to all women who beat him to
the finish line in the 5 km distance.  Gunnhild Halle Haugen took the
challenge, and was the only one who beat the hotel millionaire.
-I didn't even know about this race until I got here, Haugen says.  - We
came to Oslo on Friday because I was going to run the Holmenkollen relay.
But then my husband read about Stordalen's challenge in the paper and I
couldn't pass up the chance.
So, Saturday was hectic for Gunnhild Halle Haugen, who became the mother of
twins 5 months ago.  She jogged down to Frogner Park to register for 'Spring
Leap' and immediately after the race had to jump on a streetcar to make it
to her leg of the Holmenkollen relay.
- I'm not in my best shape, since it's such a short time since the birth,
and I'm still breastfeeding, but I was pretty sure I could beat Stordalen
over 5 km, she says.
The hotel mogul was a bit taken aback when he saw Gunnhild Halle Haugen at
the starting line.
- One of his coaches recognized me, laughs Halle Haugen.  -He told Stordalen
he wouldn't have a chance against me, and it actually seemed as if he was
beaten in advance.  I got a lead of about 30 or 40 metres right away, and I
kept well ahead the whole way.  I was 20 seconds ahead of Stordalen at the
finish, with a time of 17.17.
The prize was a weekend for two at Stordalens newly opened hotel in
Värmland, Sweden.  Gunnhild and her husband will enjoy it this fall.  - We
are celebrating our 5th wedding anniversary, so this prize really came in
handy.  Stordalen promised to throw in good food and wine in addition to the
hotel stay. 
The real reason Gunnhild Halle Haugen was in Oslo this weekend was to run
the Holmenkollen relay.  She did so, with a good result.  - My team competed
in the womens' senior class.  We won in our class, so we get to compete in
the elite group next year, and I'm really pleased about that.  It's been a
good weekend for me, but I feel stiff and sore now.  Yesterday morning I had
to go downstairs backwards!"

The article doesn't say whether they will take the twins along, but young
children go for free in this chain so it wouldn't cost anything if she
did...
Rachel Myr
Kristiansand, Norway

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