the WORLD’S BEST TRIATHLONS
25 IRONMAN KALMAR
Ask Mark Kleanthous, a man with 400 triathlons under his belt, what his favourite race is and Kalmar is right at the top of the list. Only launched in 2012, the location on Sweden’s eastern coast has become a firm favourite on the European M-Dot circuit. Highs include the Baltic Sea swim, the 6km-long bridge on the bike leg, and the stunning run leg, boasting lush Scandi scenery, island hopping and one of Ironman Europe’s biggest finish-line parties.
24 THE OUTLAW
Okay, the scenery doesn’t rival Kalmar, Klagenfurt or Kona, but there are strong reasons why Nottingham’s The Outlaw sells out in hours and is the regular winner of the 220 Race of the Year award. Take your pick from the warm atmosphere – welcoming to both iron-distance newcomers and the Outlaw returnees, of which there are many – the slick but personal organisation, and the pure celebration that greets every competitor as they step over the hallowed 226km finish line. Robin Hood would be proud.
23 POWERMAN ZOFINGEN
While it no longer attracts the world’s biggest multisport names to Switzerland like in its early 1990s heyday, Powerman Zofingen is still duathlon’s premier event, the sport’s equivalent to triathlon’s Kona or off-road triathlon’s Maui. And what a multisport test it is, with a 10km run, lumpy 150km ride and chastening 30km run finale that many duathletes (and triathletes, begrudgingly) will claim is the toughest format in multisport.
22 HAMBURG ITU
It may lack the
