Track and field athletes have been at the top of their games for the past two years, especially. The Norwegian middle-distance runner Karoline Bjerkeli Grøvdal has four Norwegian records under her belt. Specializing in one mile, indoor 300om, and 5000m, the 33-year-old has achieved it again. At the New York City Half Marathon, Olympian Grøvdal clocked in at 1:09:09 to edge out her American rivals.

CITIUS MAG posted in their X handle, “Third… Third… Third… FIRST. @KarolineBGrvdal finally gets her win at the New York City Half Marathon! The three-time Olympian from Norway runs 1:09:09 to finish 18 seconds ahead of Gladys Chepkurui on a beautiful morning in the streets of Manhattan”. The route from Brooklyn to Manhattan was filled with people cheering on the marathoners. The women’s open division was the most contentious, as it featured top-class runners like Edna Kiplagat, Jenny Simpson, and Des Linden.

But against Grøvdal, none of the contenders could hold their ground. When she started her career, the 33-year-old’s career was defined by setbacks. But since 2015, she has been on a journey that wasn’t ready to stop. This was one spectacle in 2024 we beheld. But to end 2023, Grøvdal put up a phenomenal cross-country show as well.

Olympian Grøvdal made a hat-trick

At the European Cross Country Championships, the 3x Olympian clocked in at 33:40 to nab the third year win in a row. In that feat, she edged out Nadia Battocletti and Abbie Donnelly. But her win didn’t come out of nothing. Her background speaks a lot about her cross-country finesse, and why she is a master of her art. “I am a track athlete, but I have a background from cross country skiing. That’s probably why I am good at cross country”. 

Winning the third one might want her to root for a fourth this year. But is she hopeful? “Of course, I will try to win a fourth title next year, but I think three-in-a-row is already amazing.” Before she can make a mark at the European Cross Country again, she will have to pass through the Paris Olympics 2024. We await another spectacle from her.

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