This summer, the first season of Norway’s fittest was broadcast. In the TV 2 programme, ten pensioners were to compete to see who was the fittest of them all.
It was 72-year-old Linda Verde who received the honorable title of Norway’s fittest – after she beat out running queen Mariann Stenbakk (77) during the final.
Half a year later, several people have been bitten by the reality bug and are hoping for another participation. Whether there will be a new season of the program is still unclear – but now several of the reality pensioners reveal that they are getting a bit of a bang for the year.
– Experience for life
The orienteer Linda Verde plans to go on several training trips in 2023. She is going to Portugal, among other things, and is planning an orienteering trip in the Caribbean.
DIFFERENTLY: In 2023, Linda Verde will go on an orientation trip in the Caribbean – for the first time without her husband. Photo: TV 2
It will be the second time she takes part in the trip, but this year it will be different. Last time she went with her husband, but this time she will be alone. She became a widow three years ago.
– I wonder how it will turn out. It was an experience of a lifetime last time. I’m a bit hesitant this time, but I’m open to being involved in things, says Verde to TV 2.
She also has a goal of going for more walks in the mountains.
– It takes time to find the courage and strength to do things alone. I have now reached the point where I think I can do it in 2023. I think it’s nice to go in the mountains, but it takes time to get used to that situation as a single person, she says.
It will therefore be a year characterized by travel for Norway’s fittest winner.
NM and charter trip
Stenbakk starts 2023 with a one-month charter trip, leaving from ice and sleet – to sandy beaches and sun on Gran Canaria.
– There will be a bit of training, but I’m going to enjoy myself and sunbathe a bit. So I hope we’re lucky with the weather, says Stenbakk when TV 2 calls.
SOLE SEG: In January, Mariann Stenbakk is going on a trip to Gran Canaria. Photo: TV 2
– I haven’t set any New Year’s resolutions, but I do plan to take part in some competitions. I had intended to go to the 2023 Nordic Championships in Iceland, in addition there are the Norwegian Championships and other races.
Stenbakk also reminisces about his participation in Norway’s fittest. Now she hopes that there will be other opportunities to be a participant. In addition to a good experience, she has made new friendships.
– It was fun, especially the friendship we made. Part of the gang is going down to Crete in May. It will be a little social, but also cycling, running and training. We’re going to enjoy ourselves, she says.
GO ABROAD: In May, several of the participants from Norway’s fittest will go on a trip together. Photo: TV 2
Active January
It’s no secret that Nils Harald Moe (75) has a lot of balls in the air at the same time – and when TV 2 calls him, his wife is sitting and signing him up for a championship.
CHAMPIONSHIPS: In 2023, Nils Harald Moe will participate in several championships. Photo: TV 2
– We have good plans for 2023! Right now my wife is signing me up for Ecotrail in Oslo!
Ecotrail is an annual off-road race organized in Oslo municipality, and the race covers several distances. In addition, he will start 2023 by going straight for a marathon – and will run the Mørketidsløpet in Tromsø on 7 January. He ends January by participating in the World Swimming Championships in Slovenia – so there is a lot already planned for the new year.
– It is at full speed, he says and laughs.
The 75-year-old will also meet the other cracks in Crete. In the aftermath of Norway’s fittest, he says that the response has been wild, and that there is one incident in particular that he remembers best
– There have only been positive signals from those I have met! I was at Gardemoen airport, where two ladies came over and just said: “Hey! Is it you?!” – and things like that. Norway’s fittest was very nice and all time.
Over 20 friends on tour
The Crete trip that several of the participants are going on is Kirsti Nordbyhaug Engh (73) who is behind it. They should be 20-35 friends, acquaintances and others who want to sign up.
TOUR: Kirsti Nordbyhaug Engh will go on several trips abroad in 2023. Photo: TV 2
However, it will not be the only trip she will go on in 2023. Together with Moe, she will be a tour guide for other fit pensioners. The trips are among the things she is most looking forward to in the new year.
– In addition, my grandson will be confirmed, so I’m looking forward to that, she says.
In addition to training and travelling, Engh does a lot of music in his spare time. She is the conductor of two choirs and will hold several concerts during 2023.
Will participate in the WC
After participating in Norway’s fittest, the everyday life of Morten Kristiansen (71) has been anything but calm. He is training for several races during 2023 – one of these is the World Ski Championships in the 70+ class.
CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING: In 2023, Morten Kristiansen will participate in several major ski races, and hopes to bring home the gold medals. Photo: TV 2
– The goal and the dream is to win. I have trained and skied over 80 miles since I started on 1 November, says Kristiansen.
But that is not the only dream the 71-year-old has for the coming year. He is one of those who has been bitten by the reality bug and wants to take part in 71° North.
In addition to big training plans, Kristiansen has also set New Year’s resolutions.
– I will try to be as happy and be myself as I have been before. And maybe not be so square with the girlfriend, he laughs and adds:
– I also want to try to get the boys together for football evenings.
