Suldan Hassan wins Göteborgsvarvet after dramatic disqualification
It was a battle all the way to the finish line between Suldan Hassan and Norwegian Sondre Nordstad Moen – a battle that ultimately went too far and ended with Moen being disqualified by the race jury.
– There are two infractions during the final stretch that formed the basis of the decision. First, Nordstad Moen forces Hassan out several lanes, and then extends his arm to further block him, said Eva-Lena Frick, race director and member of the Göteborgsvarvet jury.
Following the intense drama, it is now official: Göteborgsvarvet has its first Swedish winner since 2004 – and not just any Swede, but a homegrown Gothenburger.
– I felt I had a good chance on the final stretch. With 250 meters to go I tried to pass but was blocked. I waited until the final 100, as we entered Slottsskogsvallen, but was forced out to lane five – and then an arm came out too. It was dramatic, even from the inside. So to come out as the winner in the end – that feels amazing, said Suldan Hassan.
Moen submitted a protest against the disqualification, but it was denied. Hassan was thereby confirmed as the official winner of Göteborgsvarvet 2025.
– It means a lot. I’m from Gothenburg and this race has been a big part of my life. I started as a volunteer, then became a pacemaker – and now I get to win Göteborgsvarvet in front of this amazing crowd. It's hard to describe in words, he said.
On the women’s side, there was far less drama. Norwegian Karoline Bjerkeli Grøvdal took the lead from the start and won by nearly five minutes ahead of Sweden’s Samrawit Mengsteab. Along the course, Grøvdal was met with plenty of cheers – especially as the race coincided with Norway’s national day.
– A really fun race with a fantastic crowd, said Grøvdal at the finish.
Top 5 Men – Göteborgsvarvet 2025
1. Suldan Hassan (SWE) – 1:03:39
2. Senay Fissehatsion (NOR) – 1:04:04
3. Samuel Russom (SWE) – 1:04:16
4. Samuel Tsegay (SWE) – 1:04:18
5. Zerei Kbrom Mezngi (NOR) – 1:04:38
Top 5 Women – Göteborgsvarvet 2025
1. Karoline Bjerkeli Grøvdal (NOR) – 1:08:33
2. Samrawit Mengsteab (SWE) – 1:13:26
3. Hanna Lindholm (SWE) – 1:15:12
4. Sara Schou Kristensen (DEN) – 1:16:59
5. Moa Gustafsson (SWE) – 1:17:05
2025-05-17