Winning the Atlas Mountain Race

Justinas, this was your third attempt to win the race. How did you feel when you crossed the finish line?

Relief, there was quite a bit of pressure on my shoulders, put there mostly by myself. I wanted this one quite badly though, so that's why I came back for the third time.

The dust has now settled on your ride, what are your main reflections on it?

It is an achievement. Quite a big one to be honest. I was thinking about how all it unfolded. What 'mistakes' led to different decisions. And how the tactics had to change constantly during the race. How much more comfortable it was this year to be in the chaser's role, rather than the one with a target on my back.

You were pushed hard all the way by Drikus Coetzee, who was in 2nd place for much of the race before having to pull out with dehydration. What's it like to be locked in a battle like that over a number of days and nights?

Oh, it was tough and rough, and stressful! But that also gives so many more flavours to this victory! I don't like the 'easy ways', so that's kinda the way I wanted it. Maybe I would have preferred to be a bit more relaxed during the last 100k, but I only realised where he was 17km out from the finish. So there wasn't much time to chill!

What was your strategy for the race, and were you able to stick to it?

It changed many times. At first it was about getting ready for the stormy night. Kinda my advantage. Then due to the delay of the start - not so much of an advantage. All the rerouting - not an advantage at all, as I am better at the more technical stuff.

Then there was the realisation that I forgot the replacement SRAM batteries and what that meant for my plans, and so it was about making the most of what I had. Making a plan around where I could charge, how long it might last and all that. That was the game changing mistake that I made. It required me to think a lot more about the stops, to think about what I'm doing, and think about how long I stop. I had to go to bed early on Sunday evening... had it not been for the batteries, that would have never happened.

How important was the experience of racing in Morocco previously and managing to win this time?

It's not a secret that knowing the course and the country gives you a big advantage. Equally, I knew a lot about re-supplies, what I could expect along the route, to how long a certain stretch is and so on. So, yeah, it was pretty significant to have experience from years before.

You are a popular member of the long distance riding community and had lots of dots watchers cheering you on this year. What is it about long distance racing that draws you to it, and to the community as a whole?

The simplicity of life whilst racing. The disconnection. Also the adventure. The explorer comes to life, seeing new places, talking to people I have never met before, and probably will never meet again.

Winning is a bonus for me. Okay, at Atlas Mountain Race I was there for the win, as I have been there before and there weren't so many surprises. But in general it's mostly about people and places. It's not a huge bubble, so you get to meet friends from all over the world, do epic stuff and become even better friends afterwards!

In 2023 you came close at Atlas Mountain Race, and at times led at races like the Tour Divide and Silk Road Mountain Race. Were there any experiences last year that changed your approach to how you're racing this year?

I kinda over did it a bit with my calendar last year. I had a bit too much on my plate and didn't have time to think through some details before starting certain races. The lack of research was compensated by the amount of adventure I got to experience though.

Your set up looked relatively light. What clothing did you pack this year and what led to those choices?

I had my trusty rain clothing setup, that's why I looked forward to racing on Friday into the rain when the conditions looked challenging. But when it got cancelled it was too late to make changes.

We had temperatures ranging from -3 to +40. That's a pretty wide spectrum. I was wearing a new "desert poseidon" jersey. My setup stays light because of the functionality and packability of the clothes. My favourite cargo bibs that are always on, no matter what length the race is. It's also easier to be prepared for weather like that when I train in quite grim weather most of the time in Norway. The heat was a bit of a challenge for the first two days though!

You're two from two this year, having won the Fat Viking and Atlas Mountain Race. What does the rest of your race calendar look like this year?

It's amazing to be able to open the year like that. It will be a busy one, but with a lot of racing for fun mixed in. I will be heading back to Tour divide, trying to do one better there too...

This year sees the second edition of your own race, The Bright Midnight. After a packed field last year, what have you got in store for riders in 2024?

A lot of improvements, I can't wait to welcome people back. The course has had an update, it will be slightly more challenging but it will be worth it. I will try to give even more back to the riders and make them all feel very welcome in this little place called Tolga. There's a bunch of beautiful people coming and I want them to feel happy about their choice to be part of it!

When not riding you work as a manager in a long term care home in Tolga - how do you balance work life and riding long hours? Does your work as a nurse make you well suited to long distance riding?

Maintaining balance requires a lot of effort... I have been doing this for three years now, while stepping up every year. As Josh Ibbett said to me: I have been burning the candle from both ends for a long time.

It's about time to do something about that, otherwise it won't end well. So from June, I will be stepping down from being a nurse. It will reduce the responsibilities and will give me more flexibility to focus on my races and racing.

What does that mean for races in the future then, will you be putting on any more races?

Full attack! I will be racing and riding in between the races. No, joking, it will be a lot, but I still have to pay the bills, so work will be there. I need some time to develop a winter ultra race I have on my mind. It's very close to being finalised, so next year it will be there in some form.

Last year you spent back to back weekends riding huge distances to raise money for childhood cancer awareness. Is there anything more planned there, or ways people can learn more?

This year I am much more ambitious about riding further, growing the awareness and hopefully raising lots more money. I want to do so much better this year because I had a big fundraising goal that I didn't achieve. I just rode my bike, connecting hospitals in Norway on my weekends. September is childhood cancer awareness month, so expect a big push then!

You can follow Justinas' here and you can learn more about Justinas' race here, The Bright Midnight.