Estonia celebrates 100 years of independence with two IRONMAN events

Otepää and Tallinn welcome IRONMAN to Estonia in 2018

2018 sees Estonia celebrate 100 years of independence and you can be sure there will be plenty of things going on to mark this impressive milestone in their history.

Tallinn is Lonely Planet’s number one value destination in 2018 with its famously well preserved medieval old town but also very modern areas, including great cuisine.

It will host host the debut IRONMAN Tallinn on the 4th August 2018, which was announced last year.

“Estonia’s capital is compact, fashionable and terrific value. Explore one of Eastern Europe’s loveliest old towns on foot for free, stay in good-value dorms, guesthouses or private homes, and take in Baltic Sea views and a superb panorama of the city from the flat roof of the vast Linnahall (one of Tallinn’s best free things to do). Connected by budget flights from around Europe, the city isn’t a secret – but if you want a taste of Tallinn to yourself then head to Kalamaja, a fast-changing neighbourhood home to Telliskivi Creative City. The food trucks here offer Instagrammable fill-ups that won’t tax your wallet.” – Lonely Planet.

IRONMAN Tallinn

The event itself has 2000 slots and is close to 70 % sold out and offers 40 qualifying slots for the IRONMAN World Championship 2018 in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.

The race comprises a single-loop 3.8 km swim in the Baltic Sea near the Seaplane Harbour Museum; quite a technical swim but within Tallin Bay. Athletes will then continue onto the two-loop, 180.2 km bike course which winds along sections of coastline and through nearby villages. The final 42.2 km four-loop run takes participants through the historical city center of Tallinn, an UNESCO world heritage site, and finishes on Freedom Square.

IRONMAN 70.3 Otepää

This year Estonia is proud to also host the IRONMAN 70.3 Otepää on the 16th June, 2018. The first IRONMAN event in Estonia was in fact the IRONMAN 70.3 in 2016, which won best new 70.3 event globally in 2017 in an equal first place tie with Sydney, according to participants feedback.

The swim in Lake Pühajärv, the cycling course will go by lakes, over hills and through forests. The challenging run course will go along the shores of Lake Pühajärv. The finish will be in the park of the Pühajärv SPA Hotel; athletes, their family members as well as spectators – everybody will have a great time in Otepää.

IRONMAN 70.3 Otepää offers 50 qualifying slots for the 2018 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship.

Race director Ain-Alar Juhanson, IRONMAN Lanzarote winner 2005-2006, several times competitor in Kona

If you need a reason to visit Estonia you should check out one of the many tourist videos and see what you have been missing and see why Estonia is home to two IRONMAN events.