This special obstacle course will bring up to 7 000 spectators to Lahti – Spartan-conqueror: “It won’t take your breath away”
The Spartan championship is a serious and playful race. Up to 7 000 visitors and millions in tourist revenue are expected in the bay.
At the end of August, the Spartan World Championships will be held in Lahti. The event consists of three different series of obstacle races of varying lengths. The distances range from a five-kilometre sprint to a half-marathon.
In Finland, the sport is still practised by a relatively small circle of people. Only a few Finns take part in international competitions.
In the end, it was only a short distance from jogging to challenging yourself on the track.
– There’s no spirit, even though it may sometimes feel like it. The sport is suitable for everyone. Even a bad fitness base can go to try and it is easy to get hooked, Salo says.
In the world, the species enjoys great popularity. Spartan races are held in 40 countries. Finland and Lahti are honored to be the first in the Nordic countries where the race is held.
A new link in the chain of international sporting events
Lahti was chosen as the race site because the city has successfully organized Iron Man triathlon competitions. In August, a very international sporting event is coming. The Finnish climate is also favorable for the sport because it is not as hot in the summer as in southern Europe.
About 2,000 participants have now been reported and represent 23 different countries. The goal is to get 4,000 participants in the race and about 7,000 visitors. It is estimated that the event weekend will leave the city EUR 3 million in tourism revenue.
The species is tough. The longest 21 kilometer race exceeds 30 obstacles, including climbing, jumping and carrying heavy objects. Children have their own series. According to the organizers and the contestants, the northwest of the species also strongly includes communality. The weekends are fun -loving festivals. According to the organizers, the sauna is particularly interested in international guests.
-We have a really tedious top athletes and first-timers who go on the track with a group of friends and go for a short, five kilometers. And of course it is fun, Boman says.
In Lahti, track planning utilizes the height of Salpausselkä ridges and pure lake water, and the Lahti landmark, the big one, is not forgotten.
With a hundred races experience, Anssi Salo has a clear strategy to conquer the big one.
– At least not too much at the beginning, the man grins.