The Swedish Classic Circuit[dead link], (Swedish: En svensk klassiker), consists of four public long-distance sport events in Sweden. A diploma is awarded to men and women who officially complete each event within a 12 month period.
Understand
[edit]At least Vasaloppet and Lidingöloppet have contestants from the world elite.
Many athletes complete the tracks independently when the weather allows, as they are mostly open to the public without fees or permits; see right to access in the Nordic countries.
A more unusual pursuit is to complete all four races within 24 hours, with vehicle transfer between the tracks. Only recommended for the most enduring athletes.
The races
[edit]Vasaloppet
[edit]
- 1 Vasaloppet. A 90 km (56 mi) cross-country skiing race from Sälen to Mora, commemorating king Gustav Vasa's uprising in the 1520s which led to Sweden's independence. Held annually in March. The race can also be completed as an "open track", usually one week before the actual race.
- 1 Sälen. A ski resort which is the traditional starting location.
- 2 Berga. The actual starting location since 1961.
- 3 Mångsbodarna. The first traditional checkpoint.
- 4 Mora (Sweden). The finish line.
Engelbrektsloppet
[edit]A 60-km alternative to Vasaloppet, held in Norberg in Västmanland. Not part of the official Swedish Classic Circuit, though.
Vansbrosimningen
[edit]Vätternrundan
[edit]- Vätternrundan. A 300 km (190 mi) cycling event around lake Vättern in June, starting and finishing in Motala in Östergötland. The track can be completed independently when weather allows; beware of road traffi,c though.
- 5 Motala. The start and finish line.
- 6 Jönköping. The first checkpoint.
- 7 Hjo. The second checkpoint.
Lidingöloppet
[edit]Lidingöloppet is a 30 km (19 mi) running race held in September along scenic forest trails. Most of the track is on gravel forest trails, with some notorious uphill passages, and occasional passages on suburban roads. The race is held in late September, but can be completed independently year round. The event also has shorter race classes.
- Lidingöloppet. Lidingö is a suburb of Stockholm. See Lidingö history tour for a walking route in the vicinity, passing by some of the island's historic sights.
- 8 Koltorp. The starting line.
- 9 Breviksbadet. An outdoor pool and a checkpoint.
- 10 Ekholmsnäs. A ski hill.
- 11 Lidingövallen. A sport pitch used as a checkpoint and visitor area.
- 12 Ekholmsnäs.
- 13 Elfvik. A checkpoint with a view of Stockholm archipelago.
- 14 Fågelöudde. A public beach.
- 15 Abborrbacken. The toughest uphill passage comes 25 km (16 mi) into the race.
- 16 Grönsta gärde. The finish line, at the island's vicarage, with a memorial statue. Some of the shorter tracks start and end here, too.
See
[edit]- 1 Vasaloppsmuséet (The Vasaloppet Museum), Vasagatan 30 (Vasaloppets hus) (Mora (Sweden)). A museum dedicated to the race. It has exhibitions about great skiers and interesting events during the 80-something years the race has taken place. Entry includes blueberry soup - the energy drink of choice for Vasaloppet racers.