Ironman Tallinn Moves Swimming Leg to Lake Raku Amid Past Challenges

Ironman Tallinn, the capital's traditional endurance sports event, will move its swimming competition to Lake Raku, located on the border of Tallinn and Saku municipality, for its 2026 edition.

The decision comes after years of organizational difficulties with the swimming portion of the race. "Although we are a maritime nation, the biggest challenge year after year has been the swimming," said Ain-Alar Juhanson, chief organizer of Ironman Tallinn. He cited concerns over water quality and sudden temperature changes as persistent problems.

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Although we are a maritime nation, the biggest challenge year after year has been the swimming.

These issues have forced last-minute venue changes twice before. In 2019, five days before the start, sea temperatures near Lennusadam dropped to 12 degrees Celsius, necessitating a move to Harku Lake. From 2020 to 2023, Harku Lake was used, but it presented risks related to water quality and blue-green algae. In 2024, the swim course had to be relocated from Harku Lake to Stroomi Beach just three days before the event due to unsatisfactory water purity. However, Stroomi Beach is prone to rapid temperature fluctuations and very shallow water, requiring swimmers to move 200-300 meters before they could properly swim.

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We had to move the swimming location from Harku Lake to Stroomi Beach three days before the start because the water purity left something to be desired.

The cycling course will see the most significant changes, now routing through Viljandi Road and Tallinn Ring Road towards Tutermaa, then connecting to roads previously used in Saue, Harku, and Lääne-Harju municipalities. The Saturday bike course will pass by Türisalu cliff and Keila-Joa, while the Sunday half-distance course will bypass this area, returning from Vääna via Tutermaa towards Unibet Arena. The running course at Stroomi Beach and the competition center at Unibet Arena and Rocca al Mare remain similar to last year.

Juhanson expressed ambition to develop the area around Lake Raku into an active movement and recreation zone, aiming to bring the half-distance triathlon world championships to Estonia. "Three years ago, when we applied, it was largely due to the swimming location. Now, three years later, we have reached a point where we can swim in Raku," he stated. He hopes that collaboration with the city, state, and private sector will lead to the creation of a recreational area benefiting both city residents and athletes.

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You had to move 200-300 meters before you could start swimming properly.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of Ironman Tallinn in Estonia. The event began in Otepää with 600-700 participants and expects 2,000 participants for the full distance and 2,300 for the half-distance in 2026, including 50 professional athletes and 150 teams. Aire Veskimäe, project manager for Ironman Tallinn, noted that the participant numbers for triathlons are viewed differently than for running events. For a full Ironman, safety, transition area capacity, bike course throughput, and overall logistics limit participant numbers. Therefore, with 2,000–2,500 starters, Ironman is considered a very large triathlon event internationally.

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Three years ago, when we applied, it was largely due to the swimming location. Now, three years later, we have reached a point where we can swim in Raku.