The XIV European Sauna Marathon in Otepää will take place on March 1st in Otepää. As with any proper sports event, spectators can also cheer on the sauna marathon participants along the “course.”
The competition will start on March 1st at 11:00 AM at Otepää Central Square, where spectators can watch the event. Vendors will also be present. In the evening, both spectators and participants will gather at the Otepää Gymnasium sports hall, where the official afterparty with DJ Kristjan Hirmo will begin at 6:00 PM.
Norwegian Ambassador to Estonia, Marius Dirdal, will participate in this year’s European Sauna Marathon in Otepää as part of a highly qualified Norwegian team. Last year, the ambassador participated alongside his U.S. colleague in a joint team representing the Norwegian and American embassies. “This year, I wanted to focus on what connects Estonia and Norway,” said Ambassador Dirdal. “I partially grew up in Northern Norway, near Finland, in a town influenced by Kven and Finnish culture. My family did not have its own sauna, but visiting a public sauna became a natural part of life. Sauna culture is something that brings Norway and Estonia closer together.”
The European Sauna Marathon in Otepää promises to be musical and lively, as two musical groups—the bands Kruuv and Laiksaare Trio—will also participate. “We will step from stage to stage with Kruuv and bring our music to the sauna marathon. We will perform songs in every sauna, in the rhythm of singing and steam. It promises to be wild but fun!” said band member Heiki Luts.
“Tickets for the European Sauna Marathon have sold out for this year. A total of 22 unique saunas and 800 competitors will take part in the event,” noted the chief organizer of the sauna marathon, Ago Arro, head of NGO Otepää Sport.
Team registration will take place on March 1st at the Otepää Gymnasium sports hall from 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM. The race finish will also be at the Otepää Gymnasium sports hall, and the finish line will be open until 6:30 PM. Participants can shower, change clothes, enjoy a traditional hot soup, and share their experiences from the marathon.
The European Sauna Marathon in Otepää is a fun orienteering game between saunas, where teams must visit as many designated sauna locations as possible within a given time. Each team consists of four members, and a car and a driver are required.
The grand prize of the European Sauna Marathon in Otepää is sponsored by the event’s gold sponsor, OÜ Lemmik Mees. Additionally, numerous special prizes will be awarded by other sponsors. As in previous years, participants will vote for their favorite sauna, while sauna owners will choose their favorite teams.
The XIV European Sauna Marathon in Otepää is organized by NGO Otepää Sport in collaboration with Otepää Municipality, Otepää Cultural Centers, sauna owners, and volunteers. The event partners include winter radio Sky Plus, Kanal 2 Reporter, Vytautas, Aasta Auto Pluss, A. Le Coq, Crocs / Noric Outdoor, Skamet, and the Estonian Cultural Endowment.
NB! Due to the event, traffic arrangements in Otepää will change. A parking lot will be available for participants at the Otepää Gymnasium stadium. Parking on the streets around the Otepää Gymnasium sports hall is strictly prohibited.
More information: Ago Arro, tel. 5301 4619
info@saunamaraton.com
www.saunamaraton.com
March 1, 2025 Program:
A true hit parade will be kicked off by DJ Kristjan Hirmo, a guest of the Winter Capital. The ultimate discotheque will be open in Otepää for one night only! Entry to the afterparty is free for marathon participants with a wristband. Guest tickets are available for 5 euros.
NB! Tickets can only be purchased in cash at the venue. NB! The event is for ages 18 and older!
