Ironman

The "Ironman" circus has been in town for three days, all about endurance and results but also a folk-festival, support and joy among 3000 contestants from 69 nations and A LOT of supporters and cheerers in Kalmar and on Öland. They all start at 7 in the morning, professionals first and then all the others in various classes. The are all facing personal challenges: Swimming: 3.8km, Cycling: 180km, Running: 42km. The professionals are expected to pass the finishing line at three in the afternoon, eight hours after they started. In a little while, 23-24, it's "Hero hour" at the square in Kalmar when the last ones cross the finish line, walking, crawling or attempting to run cheered and carried by hundreds of people.

The roads the contest use is closed off or semi closed for ordinary traffic, we are advised to leave the cars at home, the bridge to the island is open only in two lanes with a max speed of 50km/h so the traffic is close to impossible and unpredictable to be in. I stayed at home chopping wood but I could hear the loud, pumping music in the harbour. They've been so lucky with the weather this year.