Johannes Thingnes Bö reports back to the competition level just a few weeks after his end of his career. The ex-biathlon star goes on an unusual terrain
Johannes Thingnes Bö has actually been retiring for almost one and a half months, but the sporty fire still seems to be burning. The Norwegian biathlon icon took part in the “Grue Halvmaraton” on Thursday. The 31-year-old took 1:20:19 hours for the 21,0975 meter long half marathon distance.
Bö had little to do with the outcome of the race and took 82nd place with his time. Bö separated a good 16 minutes from the victorious Linus Rosdal, who led the purely Swedish podium in 1:04:16 hours. However, the ex-ski hunter should have taken the matter much less seriously than the races at active times.
Biathlon resignation: Bö wants to take time for the family
For Bö, other things are now in the foreground than top sporting performance. First and foremost, the years of the biathlon scene are concerned with being able to spend more time with the family. “I’ve been part of the best national team in the world for 13 years. In the last six seasons I have combined top sport with family life. It was fantastic but also challenging,” he had announced his resignation via Instagram.
However, even after his active career, Bön does not be and must not be very idle. Top athletes will at least advise medicine to train after the career, i.e. to gradually reduce the training workload instead of stopping abruptly.
Bö on the footsteps of Robben
Although this does not necessarily mean participating in half marathon races, Bös is of course not the first known ex-athlete who finds joy at such events. Ex-Bayern star Arjen Robben even played several marathon races after his career and even cracked the 3-hour mark in 2:58:33 hours in 2023.