Earlier in the summer, the news came that the Ironman, which should have been launched in Kalmar this weekend, will also be canceled as a result of the corona pandemic. For Jörgen Ohlsson it would have been his second race, while for his friend Johan Hallin it would have been the Ironman premiere.

- You may have been a little sad when it was canceled, but at the same time it was expected, says Johan Hallin.

Do half Ironman in Rockneby

Despite the canceled competition, the two, together with a bunch of friends, will organize their own race outside Rockneby during the weekend. Half an Ironman will be completed, even though there is no medal to be won.

They will swim 1.9 kilometers, cycle 90 km and finally run 2.1 km on a measured track just north of Kalmar.

- I usually come up with some small races at home in Rockneby. Since Johan has not done any Ironman before, we decided to drive anyway. So he also gets to test on the track a bit and to drive at least half an Ironman, says Jörgen Ohlsson.

The charm is to get to the finish line

When SVT Småland meets the triathletes, they are in Färjestaden and will cycle the distance where the Ironman track usually runs, as a warm-up before Saturday's race.

Why do you actually do a long Ironman?

- Actually, it is not extremely far. 180 km bike is maybe a bit petty, but if you are just in pretty good shape and have a good forehead bone, you get around. Then there is also an extremely good community in triathlon, says Jörgen Ohlsson and continues:

- It is great fun, especially when you approach the goal. The Kalmar audience is absolutely fantastic and you do not think about how hard it is, because you have people cheering on you all the time.