X European Sauna Marathon delivered lots of fun and excitement

On 2nd February 2019 was the 10th European Sauna Marathon where 188 four-member teams competed from 16 different nations. There was 19 different sauna points where the competitors had to visit. The BBC also covered the event for the first time.

The visiting nations were from Hungary, Germany, Russia, Norway, Greece, Finland, New Zealand, Italy, Poland, England, Japan, United States, Mexico, Ecuador, Latvia and Lithuania.  

The growth of the event over the last few years has been helped by the presence of international media platforms such as the BBC, SWD Magazine (Germany), Reuters and the European Pressphoto Agency.

The manager of the Otepää Cultural center and Head Organiser of the event Jorma Riivald said: "We are very pleased with the organising team. The feedback from the competitors was also positive and we have the sense that the event is growing into an international top sport."

The winners were chosen from all the teams who finished the event before 17h30 pm. The top three places selected at random from the thirty fastest teams.

The first place was awarded to team ‘Selfie' who received: A hot tub sponsored by our main sponsor ‘Lemmik Mees OÜ', One box of A le Coq beer glasses, One box of A Le Coq non-alcoholic beer, Four boxes of Huum craft beer, Otepää T-shirts and a box of Vytautas water.

Second place was to team ‘Supersaunikud' who received: One box of A Le Coq beer glasses, One box of A Le Coq non-alcoholic beer, Three boxes of Huum craft beer.

Third place was to team ‘Juanita' who received: One box of A Le Coq non-alcoholic beer, Two boxes of Huum craft beer.

Some additional prizes were handed out. The best costume award went to a team called ‘Erakorralised Naised' who received a 2day ticket pass to ‘Retrobest' music festival and one box of Huum craft beer.

The most cheerful women's team was team ‘Kindel Koht' who walked away with a single box of Huum craft beer.

The most interesting team title was awarded to team ‘Eesti Naised' with each team member receiving a 50% discount card to rent a hot tub from Haagispere Sauna.

A special prize was awarded to the team who came 30th, this year that honour went to ‘Saunapurikad' who received a 500€ gift voucher from Saunamaailm.

A bonus prize was awarded to the group who stayed the longest time in a single sauna, this year prize was won by ‘Mahekaer Kalle' team who stayed in a sauna for 49 minutes. For this they received Sauna towels from the Otepää town council and a box of Vytautas water.

The sauna voted most popular by the competitors was Mägestiku Forellisaun and they received a 300€ cash prize, Vytautas Sauna Towels and a box of A le Coq Root beer.

We thank our sponsors: Lemmikmees OÜ, Vytautas, A Le Coq, Huum, Mirlex, Saunamaailm, FIE Rando Lehes, Otepää Comeback.

The organisers of the event thank all the saunas: Sangast Rye House, Orava talu sauna, Puravik (Ecooil), Kunstimäe Holiday House, Karksi-Nuia Firefighting Society, Toomas Bigband sauna, Andu Holiday House, Lemmikmehe sauna, Puka Pritsumees, Kakulaane Resort House, Mägestiku forell, Sangaste Safari SPA, Hermani pub sauna, Haagispere sauna, military sauna from Noarootsi on Lutsu Resort House, Sauna in Nõuni, Estonian Rescue Team tent sauna, Pullisaare sauna, Palu Kivi sauna.

The organisers of the 10th European Sauna Marathon would like to extend their thanks to all the volunteers, Helpers and media platforms who covered the event. Special thanks to Kanal 2 Tartu team.

The 10th European Sauna Marathon was organised by Otepää Cultural centers, Sauna owners, Otepää town council and volunteers.

All the results will be available soon from www.otepaa.ee

See you already next year.

You can find the photos HERE

Photos by Adam Illingworth