# Swedish Classic Circuit

The Swedish Classic Circuit$^{[deadlink]}$, (Swedish: En svensk klassiker), consists of four public long-distance sport events in Sweden. A diploma is awarded to men and women who officially complete each event within a 12 month period.

## Understand

At least Vasaloppet and Lidingöloppet have contestants from the world elite.
Many athletes complete the tracks independently when the weather allows, as they are mostly open to the public without fees or permits; see right to access in the Nordic countries.
A more unusual pursuit is to complete all four races within 24 hours, with vehicle transfer between the tracks. Only recommended for the most enduring athletes.

## The races
### Vasaloppet

* 6114.53331 Vasaloppet. A 90 km (56 mi) cross-country skiing race from Sälen to Mora, commemorating king Gustav Vasa's uprising in the 1520s which led to Sweden's independence. Held annually in March. The race can also be completed as an "open track", usually one week before the actual race. (updated Dec 2022)
* 61.15578113.2679541 Sälen. A ski resort which is the traditional starting location.
* 61.10555613.3041672 Berga. The actual starting location since 1961.
* 61.07833313.6216673 Mångsbodarna. The first traditional checkpoint.
* 61.00961414.5635444 Mora (Sweden). The finish line.

#### Engelbrektsloppet

A 60-km alternative to Vasaloppet, held in Norberg in Västmanland. Not part of the official Swedish Classic Circuit, though.

### Vansbrosimningen

* 60.50527814.2302782 Vansbrosimningen. A 3 km (1.9 mi) open-water swimming race held in Vansbro, Dalarna in July.

### Vätternrundan

* Vätternrundan. A 300 km (190 mi) cycling event around lake Vättern in June, starting and finishing in Motala in Östergötland. The track can be completed independently when weather allows; beware of road traffi,c though.
* 58.54416515.0368735 Motala. The start and finish line.
* 57.78333314.1666676 Jönköping. The first checkpoint.
* 58.30443414.2786157 Hjo. The second checkpoint.

### Lidingöloppet

Lidingöloppet is a 30 km (19 mi) running race held in September along scenic forest on Lidingö, a suburban island east of of Stockholm. Most of the track is on gravel forest trails, with some notorious uphill passages, and occasional passages on suburban roads. The race is held in late September, but can be completed independently year round. The event also has shorter race classes. See Lidingö history tour for a walking route in the vicinity, passing by some of the island's historic sights.
* Lidingöloppet.
* 59.36216718.1758338 Koltorp. The starting line.
* 59.35255618.1979179 Breviksbadet. A checkpoint at an outdoor swimming pool.
* 59.36123918.18373110 Ekholmsnäs. A hill used for downhill skiing, mountainbiking and golf.
* 59.370318.156911 Lidingövallen. A sport pitch which usually has the visitor centre for the race.
* 59.36618118.247412 Elfvik. A checkpoint with a view of Stockholm archipelago, at the conference hotel cluster.
* 59.37676418.23249713 Fågelöudde. A public beach.
* 59.3786418.1559714 Grönsta gärde. The finish area is the checkpoint for the first two-thirds of the race. The last 10 kilometres is a loop around the hilly Sticklinge peninsula. This is the most demanding part of the race, and can be pursued independently.
* 59.38484318.09759815 Abborrbacken. The toughest uphill passage comes 25 km (16 mi) into the race.
* 59.3786418.1559716 Grönsta gärde. The finish line, at the island's vicarage, with a memorial statue. Some of the shorter tracks start and end here, too.

## See

* 61.00768214.5450341 Vasaloppsmuséet (The Vasaloppet Museum), Vasagatan 30 (Vasaloppets hus) (Mora (Sweden)). A museum dedicated to the race. It has exhibitions about great skiers and interesting events during the 80-something years the race has taken place. Entry includes blueberry soup - the energy drink of choice for Vasaloppet racers.