Let's get the negatives out of the way first of all:

Registration - the queue got a bit out of hand - I think they were prioritising AWA queue to all the stations rather than giving them their own section.  Frustrating to wait a little longer than you'd like but not the end of the world.

( on this subject - NB pro tip! registration is not open on the Friday, and many travel route options on the Thursday will get you there later than the 6pm that it closes.  Look into this closely and probably best to travel on the Wednesday)

That was pretty much the only negative! 

Positives:

Course is a smasher!

Swim: We had calm waters (brackish water, quite nice!  A bit salty giving some bouyancy, but kinda diluted so you don't get that horrible salty sting).  Rolling start, nothing frantic.  Immense support in the water which is unusual, this is due to the course bringing you back along the harbour side and then under a couple of bridges.  Pretty cool to hear all the cheers as you swim!

Swim exit to T1 is very short, you'll get your T1 PB here for sure haha!

Bike: fast and flat and honest. The biggest hill is over the bridge onto Oland, and that's a cracking section.  6km long and one of the longest bridges in Europe it's quite impressive and you go over it twice. The first loop is around the south of the island and then you go back over the bridge, return to Kalmar and then go back out to do the second loop on the mainland.  This is slightly more undulating but nothing too taxing.  We had a windy day, bit of a slog in places, but loved the tailwind when it favoured us!

Run: The run is where Kalmar really stands out. It's a pretty course for sure.  3 lap course that winds through the town, then along next to the coast, through some woods, past some residential areas and then back into town.  It finishes in the main square in the town centre which is beautiful. But aside from its beauty, it's the support that you will remember.  The locals and residents of Kalmar truly embrace Ironman with wide open arms.  They line the course all day, hold parties in their gardens, set up hose pipes to provide cooling spray, dance, play music, DJ, cheer "heja heja heja heja".  You will not be disappointed and they will lift you all the way round.  The finish section through the town and the approach to the finish is also immense.  The atmosphere is electric!  Special mention to the mayor of Kalmar, Bjorn Mortenson, who comperes alongside Paul Kaye and can work that crowd like a pro! What a team they were! 

The Town:  Kalmar is beautiful, a gorgeous little town.  And what I saw of it, Sweden in general looks pretty awesome too.  There are loads of lovely restaurants, cafes etc, many based around the square or along the pedestrianised streets.  Good facilities in general.  It is a small town and it is all within easy walking distance of everything, (including the train station).  Decent number of nice hotels all in the centre too, though I'm sure there are cheaper options out of town.

Race logisitcs: Yep this is an easy one.  Transition next to the expo and registration.  swim start an easy and short stroll through town. Race brief and awards ceremony about a mile out of town, easy to find.

Travel logistics: We chose what turned out out to be a popular option: fly into Copenhagen and get a train directly from the airport to Kalmar.  Its about a 4 hour journey, no changes, costs about £100 return.  You can prebook your trains, but it's easy to buy your tickets at the counter at the airport too.  I believe its possible to fly into stockholm and get a train from there too.  there is an airport at Kalmar, but it is very small and I found no easy routes to it!

There you go! In summary, I thoroughly recommend!

This is 5/5 for me... An absolutely amazing event, and one not to miss. 

Lets start with value for money. It's easy to criticise Ironman for cost, and yes I think it is overpriced, however it is what it is and and absolutely amazing event experience. You get a bag which was not as good as last years, but the medal and finisher t shirt was awesome.

Registration was simple, and the whole event set up was based at same point, meaning no split transition and this makes logistics very good. There mandatory race briefing was the best I've ever been to and there was so much atmosphere. Please check out my blog for some clips that will inspire. You also got beer and food (all included).

swim - the course was really good and easy to navigate. It's in Baltic but warm this time of year. Suffered from a bit of wind that made it difficult. It was a bit punchy, and lots of people need a lesson  in sighting, but that's not Ironmans fault. The first 3k was great, but last 800 is shallow with weeds, this needs addressing really. I've never seen so many supporters during a swim.

bike. The course is basically flat and fast. You cross a 10k bridge that you usually cannot cycle on so a great experience. The support, and marshals are great. You spend most of the race in Oland... this is open exposed roads, the wind made this very difficult, making a subtle incline feel like a huge hill. If there wasn't any wind (like every other day I was there over the 10 days) then it would have been much faster.

You finish in Kalmar with a 60k route but takes you past the transition, which is disheartening seeing people already on the run. Although the support here is amazing.

run. Three loops, full of support and aid stations every 2 k. Kalmar centre is small, but the course takes you down every road and the spectators are everywhere. The home straight for the carpet is the longest I've ever seen, and you run past it three times before you can finish. The atmosphere is electric.

Transitions are simple and easy to navigate and the finish you are looked after so well. I was really impressed.

I thoroughly recommend this event, I will be back one year for sure.

Check out my blog for more pictures, and more about my personal experience.

https://pickupthepacepaul.com/2017/08/22/ironman-kalmar-2017

Excellent race and location. This was my 1st time in Kalmar and boy it didnt let me down. The race briefing was just one so in an indoor tennis centre with all 2600 athletes. Paul Kaye noted it was the largest briefing he had attended in all his time in IM. The race itself was great, perfect sea conditions, the bike albeit windy on the Island of Oland was Ok (just get your head down and pedal) but if you are a strong biker this is a fast sub 5hr course. The run is nice 3 laps around the city before taking you out along the coast through some parks and small villages before heading back into the city for the amazing and probably the longest finishing straight across the IM circuit. The crowds go wild. Go on book up!

This was my first Ironman and a truly wonderful event. The Swedish event organisers, volunteers and fans are brilliant hosts and it makes for a very momorable event. The locals suggest everyone should "race with a smile" and the wamr welcome made this very possible.  

The swim is in the Baltic Sea and therefore a wetsuit is an absolute must. The course is fairly technical with several turns where the field narrrows creating "busy" sections for those who prefer their own space. The jelly fish was a surprise but cause no concerns.

After the swim the bike is absolutely fabulous. Fast and flat with brilliant support in both Kalmar and on the Island of Oland where much of the bike course is located. The course includes crossing the 6km brige which joins Kamlar and Oland twice and whilst this section of the course is windy generally the course is not too windy. It is very much a n aero bike and hubs course and for the uber cyclists they will expect a very fast time.

The run is 3 laps around the city of Kalmar with music, noise and brilliant support all of the way round.

I would very much receommend this event both for Ironman "virgins" and more experienced participants who may be searching for a PB.    

For specators this is also a great event as you can remain in the centre of Kalmar and see your athlete up to 10 times. As Kalmar is small the whole city is focussed on the event and making sure it is a success.

This was my first Ironman after building up over all distances in the previous years, I chose this race specifically because of the reputation, the date ( school hols in UK!) and Sweden is a beautiful country. 

We drove over to Sweden in a couple of days staying overnight in East Germany ( btw - Do not stay at Hotel Gremmesdorf EVER!) 

Ferry across to Denmark needs to be booked in advance, Puttgarden to Rodby, remember which currency to use too! Danish and Swedish Krona are not the same! 

The drive was great going through Sweden to get to Kalmar and Oland was amazing, such a clean and fresh country!

We stayed in a lodge at a campsite in Oland, this was perfect as the bike course went straight pass here, so family were v happy! 

Easy and good condition roads made the pre-race training nice and we could swim at the campsite, I will try an post back a link later.

Registration was a breeze, all bags and license sorted easily, it was in the main square of Kalmar and everyone was very friendly and welcoming. Great chinese buffet to right by the finish area!

Weather - Very Hot and quite windy, see below for effects - 

Swim - Weather made the strait very choppy, I wasn't aware at the time, but a lot of competitors were pulled out of the water early on, I am a confident OW swimmer (in the sea) so wasn't too phased....

T1 - Quick run up the ramp to T1 through to where you grab your numbered bag, remember what your number is! Sounds silly, but I did pick up the wrong bag!! Whoops

SUNCREAM!! 100% I got so burnt wearing a trisuit it wasnt even funny! Because of this I now race in a long sleeve suit all the time.

Bike course - Going over the Oland bridge was epic, easy to get very excited and start pushing the numbers, but hold back and breathe it in, there is still a long way to go and you will cross it again once you return from the Island.....the course flat and undulating, riding into some strong winds with some decent climbs, nothing major but definately ones to increase HR. The last section back into town is fast, use it to spin out and get ready for the run.....

Run - Fast, relatively flat through the town and on cobbles, support is second to none throughout and no real lonely section to speak of.

Feed stations - Well stocked and efficient for Bike and run, with well trained marshals.

I may well return one day........

Did I get the tattoo? You bet your ass I did!! LOL