løpene

Løpene is the definite plural form of the Norwegian noun løp, and is most commonly used to denote multiple runs or races. In everyday usage, løp refers to an athletic event in which participants race or run a course, such as a track meet, cross-country race, or marathon. Therefore, løpene can describe the collection of races within a program, the individual races in a competition, or simply several running attempts by an athlete.

Etymology and form: Løp derives from Old Norse and is related to other Germanic languages’ terms for running or a race. The word functions as a common noun with the masculine gender; its definite plural form is løpene, while the indefinite plural is løp. Pronunciation and inflection follow standard Norwegian patterns for nouns of this class.

Usage in sports and events: In programming, results, and reporting, løpene are referenced to indicate the sequence of events. Example uses include announcing the start times of the various races, summarizing outcomes from each løp, or comparing performances across løpene in a meet. The term is widely understood in athletic contexts but is flexible enough to cover different kinds of running competitions, from short sprints to longer endurance races.

Other senses: Beyond explicit races, løp can also mean a run or attempt in training, so løpene may describe several training runs or attempts within a schedule or training plan.

See also: løp (singular), friidrett, innendørs/utendørs løp.