Most of us are skating to have fun, we do not chase for the records. But marathons are those fests when it is so fascinating to run by safe routes away from traffic, meet skaters from other countries, and, of course, check own fit. The term “marathon” is conditional, in most cases you can choose shorter distances (21, 10 or just 5 km), so everyone can face a challenge that matches his or her skills and capabilities.
Dozens or even hundreds of sports weekends take place every year in Europe and each one is pretty unique. We have noted three of them which are easy to approach by car. Lithuanian skaters run there on regular base, so your decision to take a part will be definitely awarded with assistance and support. It’s much more fun to skate together with the teammates.
1. Berlin Inline Skating Marathon
Berlin, Germany, 23.09.2023
The Berlin Marathon is the largest and fastest inline skating marathon in the world, where you are able to meet participants from every continent (except the Antarctic penguins for sure). Here is the world record holder Bart Swings, alongside of skaters who cover 42 km in 3 hours. The large number of chasers is a great advantage, cause skating in the pack is always much easier and faster than to row alone. Those who have started here at least once ensure that this marathon is a true carnival of speed and endurance skating. An incredible track through the streets of the city, thousands of participants (about 6000 registered in 2022), hundreds of thousands of passionate spectators who support every skater, and an excellent management – those are just a few reasons to book September 23 in the calendar. The anniversary 25th Berlin Inline Skating Marathon is waiting for you. Registration is already started, rookies are allowed to pay 50% of starting fee (write the letter to amazing(@)speedskaters.lt and we will tell you how to do that).
24th Berlin Inline Skate Marathon Live Stream >>
Registration Center of Berlin Inline Skate Marathon 2023 >>
2. Mazurski Maraton Rolkowy
Ruciane Nida, Poland, 02.09.2023
Mazury have been a close neighbor of Lithuania since the Dark Ages. We used to host each others to have friendly fights with axes and make the fortune by robbery. Now we go to Mazury just to race: the Masurian Inline Skate Marathon (Mazurski Maraton Rolkowy) is becoming the traditional test before Berlin. Distances of 42, 21 and 11 km can be chosen by participants. The route provides good outcomes, although the selected road is a little narrow, the surface is a bit rough and the turns are pretty sharp. The track is quite flat, no big hills, the forest protects from the wind, while hundreds of participants in each distance create the chance to catch the train. The pleasant thing is that the hosts are always excited with skaters from Lithuania.
Photo Gallery of Mazurski Maraton Rolkowy 2022 >>
3. Estonian Inline Speed Skate Cup
Various venues in Estonia, May-August 2023
Inline skating is much more advanced in Estonia because of close links with ice speed skating. Our friends do have well mass sports also the level of the competitions is in the higher level too: Estonians provide four stages, combined into a all-season-long championship. Points are collected at each stage, and champions going to be announced in August. However, you are allowed to run in one or several stages, which will take place in Viljandi (May 6), Elva (May 21), Jõgeva (June 11) and Tallinn (August 13). You can choose marathon, half-marathon or 10 km distances at every stage. Registration is already started.
Estonian Inline Speed Skate Cup >>
Registration Center (all stages) >>
Bonus: Lithuanian Inline Skate Marathon
Three years of dreams, faith in the success of the idea and encouragement. A year of disputes and disappointments, looking for locations and searching for sponsors. And finally it happened! First inline skating marathon in Lithuania came true after the 10-year break. The residents of Širvintos watched a crowd of fit people with inline skates, spinning circles through the streets of the city on July 30. There was some curiosities when the cars drove onto fenced track, and skeptical comments appeared on the Internet: “The city is not right place for rolling”. Meanwhile, the event went perfectly: nice weather conditions and scenic track made the race entertaining. Reviews of the participants exceeded any expectations. We will not surprise anyone when we say that there are not many inline speed skating events in Lithuania. Therefore the marathon in Širvintos has become an extremely significant event for our community. We believe in the future of our sport and wish to skate a marathon in Lithuania every year.
2022 Inline Skate Marathon in Širvintos (report) >>
Other speed and endurance skating events up to 1000 km from Lithuania
Berlin, Germany (21 km only), 910 km from Lithuania – 02.04.2023
Krakow, Poland, 630 km – 22.04.2023
Luebbenau, Germany, 860 km – 22.04.2023
Stolno, Poland, 410 km – 13.05.2023
Koronowo, Poland, 560 km – 28.05.2023
Goerlitz, Germany / Zgorzelec, Poland, 840 km – 11.06.2023
Pruszcz, Poland, 470 km – 18.06.2023
Trencin, Slovakia, 880 km – 01.07.2023
Geierswalde, Germany, 960 km – 08.07.2023.07
Widawa, Poland, 540 km – 09.07.2023
Gdansk, Poland, 420 km – 19.08.2023
