KIA Fjällmaraton 2023, the fifth stop of the Spartan Trail World Championship, lands in Sweden
Continuing the competitive calendar of the Spartan Trail World Championship (STWC), the fifth stop moves to Åre, in the central region of Sweden, a charming mountain village with just over 12,000 habitants that offers a perfect combination of natural beauty, traditional architecture, and rich history. The Kia Fjällmaraton will take place from July 29th to August 5th, featuring eight distances (minimarathon, Vertical Kilometer, 8k, 2x 12k, 27k, 45k, and 100k) to turn this to a classic of trail racing, in the heart of the Scandinavian fjords, into the heartland where the mighty Vikings once thrived.
Surrounded by majestic mountains and lush forests, Åre is a true paradise for nature and outdoor sports lovers. In winter, its world-class ski slopes (host of the 2019 Alpine Skiing World Championships) attract skiers and snowboarders from all over the world. During summer, the region becomes a must-visit destination for outdoor enthusiasts interested in trail running, hiking, and cycling, thanks to its scenic trails that allow visitors to explore the amazing beauty of its landscapes.
In this village filled with picturesque wooden houses, medieval ruins, and historic churches, the essence of Swedish culture comes to life, and the Kia Fjällmaraton allows runners of different skill levels to run and enjoy a cultural event in this natural European geography.
For this 19th edition, over 2000 runners are expected to venture through this impressive natural environment, traversing nearly pristine trails surrounded by majestic mountains, dense forests, and beautiful Scandinavian landscapes, all brimming with the cultural atmosphere and Swedish hospitality. The long tradition of the Kia Fjällmaraton makes it a race embraced by runners from around the world who seek to experience one of the purest, wildest, and most impressive adventures of their lives.
Kia Fjällmaraton 45K
The 45k race, with 1800 meters of elevation gain, will take place on Saturday, August 5th, featuring a new and challenging route with technical sections scattered throughout its diverse circuit. Besides awarding 2 ITRA points, this distance will also grant an extra medal for runners who finish under 5h45m (men) and 6h30m (women).
In 2022, the male podium was comprised of local runners Oscar Claesson (3h20m29s), Sebastian Ljungdahl (3h26m), and Finnish Team Hoka’s Juho Ylinen (3h30m27s). Among the women, Ida Nilsson (4h07m59s) claimed victory, followed by Emilia Brangefält (4h09m50s) and Ulrikke Evensen (4h22m01s).
100k, the longest challenge
The 100k race (with 4 ITRA points), scheduled for Thursday, August 3rd, will involve 6,200 meters of elevation gain along winding trails offering majestic views.
In 2022, the American runner Noah Brautigam (9h31m24s) took the win, followed by Viktor Stenqvist (10h16m35s) and John Lagerskog (10h18m21s). Among the women, top three positions were secured by Malin Barrulf (11h23m33s), Åsa Wiklund (12h38m49s), and Isabella Hedberg (14h48m11s).
Race Tracking:
Each and every distance, with special emphasis on the 45k and 100k races, can be followed through Fjällmaraton’s social media channels: Fjällmaraton: Instagram, Facebook and the official race tracker.
Spartan Trail World Championship
The Spartan Trail World Championship (STWC) is a global championship with multiple stops around the world. Each race in the World Championship has multiple distances, with two selected to score in the final STWC Ranking in their respective categories.
The STWC features two simultaneous championships, each with a corresponding distance and events; an ULTRA championship (distances of 50 kilometers or more) and a TRAIL championship (distances up to 49 kilometers).
The 2023 season started in February with the successful Transgrancanaria, followed by the highly popular Patagonia Run in the Southern Cone, and continued with Maxi-Race Annecy in the heart of the Alps. It also recently took place in the lush tropical rainforest of Brisbane Trail Ultra.
Now, in the heart of European summer, the Spartan Trail World Championship moves to Sweden, a land with a rich history closely tied to nature. Kia Fjällmaraton Årefjällen, Sweden’s most prestigious mountain race, offers the chance to be part of STWC 2023 with the Kia Fjällmaraton 45K for the TRAIL category and the 100k for the ULTRA category.
The 2023 season features 9 events worldwide, offering points for the final leaderboard of the Championship. Each event will have a valid distance for the ULTRA championship and another for the TRAIL championship. The events included are Transgrancanaria, Patagonia Run, Maxi-Race Annecy, Brisbane Trail Ultra, Fjällmaraton, Salomon Ultra Pirineu, Borneo Trail Classic, Shinshiro Trail Classic, and Golden Gate Trail Classic.
The STWC will have cash prizes for the overall leaderboards in both the male and female categories.
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