September 02, 2012 (Gällivare, Sweden) – Marcus Hellner earned his third straight victory in the 6.5km long running competition World Cup Challenge in Gällivare, which attracted a record participation of 120 runners.

The competition takes place every year and offers a unique opportunity to amateur skiers measure their skills and fitness with the Olympic and World Champion Marcus Hellner. Ammateur runners start 10 minutes ahead of elite group.

“I’m happy with the race, I usually don’t run on asphalt but today it went well,” said Hellner.

“We are super happy with this year’s World Cup Challenge, which recorded the highest number of both participants and audience. Normally we carry out the competition on the World Cup courses at Hellner Stadium, but since there are construction works underway before the World Cup opener we moved the start and finish to the center of Gällivare,” Tommy Niva said.

Lovisa Brave of Sävast Ski Team won on the ladies side.