Fun Run

by All The Queens Men

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who took part in Fun Run 

We had been looking forward to it. You had been looking forward to it. Everything was in place for a celebration of community and togetherness, with so many people involved who had spent a long time preparing. Therefore, it was especially hard to have to cancel Fun Run due to a power outage.

An intense effort was made over three hours to resolve the issue, but to no avail. We apologise to the audience and everyone involved. We know many were disappointed.

The sense of togetherness that emerged after the lights went out on the Festival stage – where dance groups, sports teams and others performed their rehearsed routines for each other and cheered one another on – is the very essence of what Fun Run is all about. We are deeply moved and grateful.

A huge thank you to everyone who turned up, to all the performers, and to everyone who worked to make Fun Run possible – on stage, in front of it, and behind the scenes.

And not least: a big thank you to Håkon Gisholt, our amazing hero, who trained with purpose, inspired us, and reminded us all of what courage, determination, and joy truly mean.

Although the evening didn’t turn out the way we had all hoped, the journey there was wonderful.

Thank you!

Fun Run. Photo: Miriam Levi
Fun Run. Photo: Miriam Levi

Next event

Duration: 

5 h

Hundreds of participants, one marathon runner, one treadmill and an epic party.

When the Greek messenger Pheidippides was sent to Athens to announce the Persians defeat in the battle of Marathon, he ran the entire distance without stopping, burst into the Athenian assembly and died on the spot. Fun Run is his story.

Fun Run is not merely an homage to Pheidippides, but a riotous performance spectacle that pushes the limits of endurance. On Saturday 24 May 2025, Fun Run will crash the city square. Athletes, trampolinists, martial artists, cyclists, cheerleaders, drummers and dancers from all over Bergen will flood the stage. Amid this spectacle, one thing remains constant: a runner is on a treadmill, and he is not stopping until he has reached 42.2 kilometres–the distance of the modern marathon.

Over five hours, Håkon Gisholt will run a non-stop marathon on a treadmill, fuelled by massive visual effects, a booming soundtrack, a silky-voiced MC and riotous performances and cheering crowds.

Acclaimed Australia arts company All The Queens Men have presented Fun Run all around the world, from Ansan to Melbourne, Sydney to Taipei, Darwin to Kuopio - and now it’s time for Bergen to join in this extreme endurance artwork; which is part dance party, part performance piece and part epic community celebration. 

The runner is Håkon Gisholt

The former police officer, social activist, and author Håkon Gisholt will run the marathon distance on a treadmill in the town square. Gisholt lost his sight in adulthood and became Norway’s first blind police officer. He is a strong advocate for active collaboration between people with substance use disorders and individuals with disabilities.

– I ran my last marathon five years ago and was never going to run again – but when you get the chance to do it in Bergen, in the town square – it doesn't get any bigger than that. It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, says Håkon Gisholt.

Fun Run was the most amazing live event that I have ever experienced. It was authentic, entertaining, encouraging and totally empowering! I couldn’t believe so many emotions could come out in just a few hours. I am in awe of what an amazing piece of work has been created and how community-minded it was.

- VICTOR, COMMUNITY PERFORMER

Recommended age

Suitable for all

Contributors

  • All The Queens Men presenters and creators

  • Tristan Meecham, Bec Reid creator, producer, community liaison

  • Willoh Weiland event director

  • Luke Smiles sound design, sound technician

  • Nick Roux video design, video technician

  • Chris More content producer, additional video

  • Anna Pidgeon production manager

  • Tristan Meecham host

  • Bec Reid, and others dancers

  • Håkon Gisholt runner

  • Madeleine Kollbotn, Leona Klepsvik, Leonora Øvreås, Dekontee Manyeah, Bec Reid Haus Da Fun Run Dancers

  • Annam Dance Studio dance

  • Jumping Fitness v/Sammen jumping fitness 

  • Nordnæs Bataillon buekorps

  • Crossfit Bryggen crossfit

  • Musikalløvene dance

  • Storm Charisma cheerleading

  • Åsane Seahawks Cheerdance Ignite cheerdance

  • Åsane Seahawks Cheerleading Coed 6 cheerleading

  • Bergen Taekwon-Do Klubb Taekwon-Do

  • Haus of Friele drag

  • Jernbanens Musikkorps marching band

  • Bergen Triathlon Club triathlon

  • Diamond Dance dance

  • KOM OG DANS BERGEN line dance

  • Hildemors Dansesenter dance

  • TEMPO.tau/Kristiane Skips jumping rope

  • SPORTY equipment

  • Technogym equipment

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