European Sauna Marathon
Text Stewart Johnson Photo Visit Estonia / Kelvin Kivimaa
Starting this Friday at 18:00 in Otepää’s Central Square, the 15th Annual European Sauna Marathon kicks off. This is a fun, team-based orienteering game in which each group of four people try to visit as many saunas as possible. Some are marked out, some are hidden, and some require a car to reach them. Last year, 198 teams of four participated, but there can be only one true champion of the European Sauna Marathon, and there are only 15 team tickets remaining. This year there are so far participants from over 20 countries!
Friday’s programme begins with the Central Square offering food and drink as the saunas are heated up. There will be live music, and the Sauna Village will open at 19:00. Registration for various events is possible during this time. The festivities will continue until 23:00…an early end, yes, but the next day is a big one! The competitors will need their rest.
Saturday morning at 8:30 for two hours, teams confirm their participation, and receive wristbands, car stickers, and so on at the Otepää Gymnasium Sports Hall at Mäe 23. At 11:00, groups of 20 teams will start at a time. Even if you’re not participating, this will be very fun to watch. Food, drink, and entertainment will be available for all throughout the day and evening.
With the expected finish to the sauna marathon from 15:00 to 18:30, there will always be some excitement as the various teams cross the finish line. Starting at 19:00, after everyone has had one more wash if needed, and are dressed warmly, there will be an afterparty in the Sports Hall at Mäe 23, including a buffet. The afterparty will continue at least until 1:00 in the morning.
The full programme and ticket information are available here.
To learn more about this and similar topicsEstonian Culture European Sauna Marathon events in Otepää games Orienteering Sauna team games
