Birkebeiner Rennet was to be held on 18-Mar, the day after I left Norway. About 8000 skiers are expected. One can start at either Rena or Lillehammer.
Transportation is arranged to and from start and finish points.
This event counts for World-Loppet points. So if you want to ski the Birkebeiner in a more relaxed mood this is way to do it. Vasaloppet also has the similar 'open track days'. They call it a 'motion-lopp' , lit. So I met the bus in Hamar and arrived at the start point in Rena, registered and got started around 0930.