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You’re truly stepping into the land of the Vikings at Challenge Sandefjord, as it’s home to the oldest settlement in Norway. And with just a 2hr drive or train ride from Oslo airport, and set along some of the country’s most beautiful coastline, this is a must-do middle-distance race for local and international triathletes alike. Triathlon writer Liz Barrett discovers why this stunning Scandinavian race should be on everyone’s bucket list…
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A popular summer destination for many Norwegians, Sandefjord boasts a spectacular coastline, a rich heritage and a fantastic race-day atmosphere.
Whether you’re entering your first or 50th middle-distance, this race caters for all abilities and strengths, with a sheltered fjord swim, a mostly flat and fast bike, and a final run through the city centre to a chorus of cheers and adulation!
Alongside the main event – the middle-distance triathlon – there are also super sprint, Olympic+ (1.5km swim, 45km bike, 10.1km run), and relay events (for both the middle distance and the Olympic+) to choose from.
Location - Experience the fjords
A 2hr drive south from Oslo makes Challenge Sandefjord easily accessible for competitors from across Europe and further afield.
Its northern location does of course mean slightly cooler average temperatures for June, but pack your wetsuit and a few layers, and you’ll be cruising to the finish line in no time.
And if you’ve never ventured this far north, it’s a great opportunity to discover the delights of the Norwegian fjords and the country’s rich history.
Why race... Challenge Sandefjord
Here’s why you should add Challenge Sandefjord to your race calendar:
Course - Sheltered, swift and spectator-friendly
The race course at Challenge Sandefjord PB-ready and spectator friendly. You’ll start your day with a swim in sheltered waters, before heading out on the spectacular bike course with rolling sections and fast flats all against a backdrop of incredible Nordic scenery. The run course takes you on a tour of the city centre, taking in famous monuments and traditional sights as you make your way to the finish line.
Swim - 1.9km
The single-lap beach-start 1.9km swim takes place in the sheltered waters of Sandefjordsfjorden, with the entire course visible from the breakwater – therefore ideal for spectators. Age groups start with a rolling start at 5sec intervals. Note, it’s a split transition at Challenge Sandefjord so factor that in to the logistical planning.
BIke - 90km
The two-lap rolling bike course takes you out of the city and straight into Dølabakken for a much-needed energy boost from the crowds and music. From here, you head into the Norwegian countryside along a rolling course dotted with breathtaking landscapes and cheering spectators. From Kodal you’ll discover some fast stretches on your way over to Stokke where there’s just 15km to go on your way back to Sandefjord city. It’s here where you’ll also pass the historic ‘Gokstadhaugene’, where one of Norway’s oldest Viking ships was discovered. If you paced it to perfection you can insert a bit of speed here as you head back to the city centre, and either turn back for lap two or head into T2.
Run - 21km run
The four-lap run course winds through the city centre, passing famous monuments and trundling along narrow streets in Bjerregata, peppered with traditional Norwegian harbour town white houses. There’s a small climb up towards Brydedammen and the aid station, and the finish line is situated in Badeparken by the famous Whaler’s Monument.
Race training & prep
The water is going to be bracing, so pre-race practice in open-water in cold and variable conditions is going to be key for this race.
For the long stretches through the Norwegian countryside, focus on building endurance for sustained efforts. Despite its relatively flat profile – the elevation gain is 490m – hill-climb training will give you the edge come race day.
Finally, work on your pacing and maintaining focus as this will help you run repetitive laps through an urban environment.
As the course is open to all, athletes can practise in the swim, bike and run before race day.
Travel & accommodation
There are direct train connections from Oslo airport to Sandefjord, which take approx 2hrs. The train station in Sandefjord is then just a five-minute walk from the official race hotel – Hotel Atlantic. Tickets and timetables can be found here.
The hotel is providing a discounted rate for all competitors for the weekend of 27-29th June.
Sandefjord also has its own airport for flights from across Europe (note: there’s no direct from the UK to Sandefjord), and is a 15-minute drive from the city centre.
On the day of the race, parking is available at the race venue, and there’s also an athlete bus transfer from Granholmen Camping to Badenparket for both the race briefing and on race day.
Spectators - Never miss a second of the action
After the swim start, the organisers advise friends and family to head to Sandefjord city centre, where you can cheer your loved ones on as they lap on the bike and run before finishing in Badeparken. The centre also has plenty of restaurants and bars to keep you well fed and watered as the action takes place.
Race-cation - discover the land of the Vikings
Sandefjord and its surrounding area is rich in Norwegian culture and history. Once the racing is done, there are several things you should tick off before heading back home.
Whatever your thoughts on whaling, Sandefjord prospered thanks to the controversial industry, making it one of the richest cities in Norway. To better understand its impact on the community and the country as a whole a visit to the the Whaling Museum, which is Europe’s only museum dedicated to the history of the whaling industry, is well worth your time.
For the art enthusiast among you, there’s the Midtåsen Sculpture park, which is free for all and features the works of acclaimed Norwegian artist Knut Steen in marble and bronze. Steen created the aforementioned Whaler’s Monument, a rotating bronze statue located in Badeparken.
If you’d like to get a better view of the area, consider an historical flight with Dakota Norway – Norway’s oldest airworthy passenger aircraft built in 1943. Taking off from Torp Sandefjord Airport, the DC3 Dakota flies at 1,000 feet during the summer season for fantastic views over the fjords.
Get ready to race in the stunning coastal landscapes of Sandefjord, Norway. Challenge Sandefjord offers four race-day options and combines a tough course with beautiful scenery. Push your limits and be part of this exciting event. Click here to register now and take on the challenge!
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