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A firm favourite on the race circuit, IRONMAN Kalmar has been voted the most recommended IRONMAN race in the world and has a well deserved reputation for its unrivalled support from the locals. There are few spots on the course where you won’t find a super-friendly local cheering you on in this beautiful, small city by the sea.
Expect mind-blowingly beautiful Scandinavian scenery, goosebumps worthy atmosphere and a fast course that takes you across the iconic 6km long bridge to the island of Öland. No one does a triathlon party quite like IRONMAN Kalmar.
Location - Small city, big heart
Kalmar is a medieval seaside town packed with beautiful architecture, breath-taking beaches and spectacular Scandinavian scenery – from the nearby islands to the UNESCO World Heritage listed sites nearby. Soak up the small city big heart atmosphere – from the unrivalled support of the locals on race day, to the charming cafes and restaurants you’ll find as you wind your way through the cobbled streets.
Kalmar isn’t the simplest place to get to but it’s definitely worth the effort. The fastest and most popular way is via Copenhagen over the border in Denmark then it’s a direct 4 hour train journey into Kalmar Central Station. Otherwise you can fly to Kalmar via Stockholm and then it’s a quick taxi or bus into the centre. There are plenty of family friendly B&Bs and budget hotels around the city – Best Western Kalmarsund Hotell is just five minutes from the start as well as beachside campsites in both Kalmar and across the water on Ölund Island.
Once you arrive, everything is within walking distance from the expo to the start, finish and transition areas. And when that iconic medal is round your neck, celebrate at Europe’s biggest IRONMAN finish line party.
There’ll be no shortage of atmosphere out on the course. The locals pack their front gardens and line the streets to cheer every athlete on. Expect DJs, dancing and the best hospitality on the planet!
Why race... IRONMAN Kalmar-Sweden
An atmosphere like no other, spectacular scenery and a location where the locals well and truly put their heart and soul into welcoming athletes from all across the globe. Here’s why you need to race IRONMAN Kalmar:
Course - fast & flat
Suitable for first-timers and more experienced alike, the course at IRONMAN Kalmar is flat with the potential to be ultra-fast if you’re searching for a new PR. But flat doesn’t mean easy – and this is still a big challenge. Prepare for potentially choppy conditions in the swim, and strong winds to contend with on the bike, particularly on that iconic bridge on your way out to Öland Island.
Swim - 3.8KM
The single loop, point to point swim takes place in the Kalmar Strait which is a part salt/part fresh water stretch of water between Kalmar and Öland Island. It's the Baltic Sea, so wetsuits are recommended. Practise diving into water with goggles as the race starts from the boardwalk – there's nothing worse than losing your lenses before you’ve even done a stroke! The course features a few twists and turns, so good sighting skills are essential to stay on track. As you head towards T1, you'll be just an arm's length from the buzzing crowd of spectators - the perfect boost to get those final metres ticked off!
BIke - 180KM
The single-lap course is fast and flat, with just 500m of elevation to contend with. This is a once a year opportunity to experience riding across the famous 6km-long bridge to the Island of Öland, which is usually closed to bikes. The course takes you out of the city and towards the island, where you'll get the chance to enjoy the natural beauty before you head back over the bridge into the city. Aero will be everything on this course, so it's definitely one for a TT bike (or clip-on aero bars). Make sure you get plenty of practice pushing power in the TT position so you can stay aero on race day.
Run - 42.2KM
Feel the support of the entire city as they cheer you on through 42.2kms of magic! The three-lap run course is fast and flat, taking you along the beach and through the city centre before heading towards the historic city walls. After your final lap, you'll hit the magic red carpet in the main square and finish in front of the cathedral to the deafening cheers of an enormous crowd.
Spectators - party atmosphere for all the family
The fact that so much of the race is based in the small but perfectly formed Kalmar is a dream for spectators who can see you on multiple occasions without setting foot out of the town.
All of the local residents put their heart and soul into supporting the IRONMAN race so your friends and family will get to party hard with all the friendly Swedes at the spectator hotspots or along the routes.
On the swim course, everyone lines up along the harbour front or stand on the bridges as you swim beneath them which is quite the sight.
The bike course isn’t the easiest to watch as most of the route is over on Öland Island so your supporters can either hang out at hotspots near T2 or spend time at the beach or the cafes and restaurants in the atmospheric main square where they’ll be well-placed to catch the run course.
Race-cation - cobbles & castles
The Swedes are famous for their love of nature so this outdoor paradise is the perfect place to unwind post-race.
The Kalmarsundsleden cycle trail stretches across some 200km of country roads and coastline and since Kalmar extends into the Baltic Sea across a number of islands and peninsula – beautiful Stensö is worth a visit – you’re never far from a beach for swimming , hiking or kayaking.
Having seen it from the saddle, Öland, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is worth a proper visit and you might even spot a member of the Swedish royal family who have their summer home there.
History buffs will love the cobbled streets of Kalmar Old Town which are packed with well-preserved 18th and 19th century buildings especially its Renaissance-style Kalmar Castle a UNESCO World Heritage site with its ornate turrets and drawbridge and a stunning 17th cathedral both of which you can tour.
You will have worked up an appetite so luckily the area has a strong food heritage. You’ll find classic Swedish dishes such as pickled herring, meatballs, Kroppkakor – a whole new take on meat and potatoes – cinnamon rolls and cookies on the menu in the many outdoor cafes, bars and restaurants.
Head to a café in the historic Krusenstiernska gården or Larmtorget Square where you can also indulge in ‘fika’, the daily Swedish custom of taking time out for a drink, snack and a catch-up with friends.
Travelling with kids? Take a short drive out of Kalmar to the quirky A World of Dinosaurs, home to Europe’s biggest dinosaur exhibition housing some 200 dinosaur skeletons. Children’s author Astrid Lindgren World in Vimmerby is a fun theme park for fans of Pippy Longstocking or head to Glasriket to explore the world of handblown glass.
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