Now the annual running festival begins.
Finally, it’s time! At 1 pm on Sunday, the starting shot will be fired for Trailvarvet, the first of nine races in eight days during Varvet Week 2023. Currently, over 53,000 participants have registered for one of the races.
"An incredibly fun, intense and wonderful week that we have been looking forward to since May last year," says Erik Bergqvist, event manager at Göteborgsvarvet.
The first runners in Trailvarvet, covering 11.5 hilly kilometers through Ängsgårdsbergen, are what awaits the participants on the first day of a packed Varvetvecka. Shortly after, the start signal is given for Trailvarvet walk, which is eight kilometers long. Currently, around 1,000 participants are registered for the premiere day.
The running party continues on Wednesday with Stafettvarvet, which has over 2,200 runners divided into 550 teams. New for this year is that each section is 3.2 kilometers, not 4.2 kilometers as in previous years, and that teams now consist of four runners instead of five.
"We always listen to feedback and suggestions for improvements, and through these changes, it is easier to put together complete teams, which ultimately leads to more participants and a greater running experience," says event manager Erik Bergqvist, who is delighted to have been able to work uninterrupted throughout the year due to the coronavirus.
"Last year was the first Varvetvecka after the pandemic, and the conditions were tougher then. We learned a lot from it and have been able to work to improve the experience for all participants, officials, partners, and the audience this year."
It is gratifying that the number of participants in several of the races has increased compared to a year ago, especially in Specialvarvet, Lilla Varvet, and Minivarvet.
"For many in these races, it is one of the most enjoyable days of the year, and there is so much joy spread during these races. It feels really great that so many want to participate, and it will also be fun to see the little ones take on Minivarvet Trail, which is also located in the family area around Björngårdsvillan."
Overall, around 4,000 officials from around 100 clubs in western Sweden help and make the sports festival possible.
"We are, of course, very dependent on all volunteers to make it possible to carry out this week, and it is also a week that benefits the clubs economically," says Bergqvist.
RACES DURING THE VARVET WEEK
TRAILVARVET
Date: Sunday 7th May
Start: Slottsskogsvallen 13.00
Finish: Slottsskogsvallen
Ages: All
Distance: 11.5 kilometers
Currently registered: Approximately 850.
TRAILVARVET WALK
Date: Sunday May 7th
Start: Slottsskogsvallen at 1:00 PM (directly after the runners)
Finish: Slottsskogsvallen
Ages: All
Distance: 8 kilometers
Currently registered: Approximately 180.
More information - Trailvarvet Walk
STAFETTVARVET
Date: Wednesday, May 10th
Start: Slottsskogsvallen 18.00
Finish: Slottsskogsvallen
Ages: All
Distance: 4 x 3.2 kilometers
Currently registered: Approximately 2,200 (550 teams)
More information - Stafettvarvet
SPECIALVARVET
Date & time: Friday, May 12th at 11:00 AM
Start: Björngårdsvillan, Slottsskogen
Finish: Slottsskogsvallen
Ages: All
Distance: 2.1 kilometers (start at 11:30 or 11:45) or 3.3 kilometers
Currently registered: Approximately 2,250.
More information - Specialvarvet
MINIVARVET
Date: Saturday May 13 and Sunday May 14
Start: Björngårdsvillan in Slottsskogen between 10:00 and 16:00
Finish: Björngårdsvillan in Slottsskogen
Ages: 0-6 years
Distance: 210 meters
Currently registered: Approximately 2,600.
MINIVARVET TRAIL
Date: Saturday May 13 and Sunday May 14
Start: Björngårdsvillan in Slottsskogen between 10:00 and 16:00
Finish: Björngårdsvillan in Slottsskogen
Ages: 0-6 years
Distance: 210 meters
Currently registered: Approximately 2,600.
GÖTEBORGSVARVET
Date: Saturday May 13
Start: Margretebergsgatan from 13.00
Finish: Slottsskogsvallen
Age: Born in 2005 or earlier
Distance: Half marathon (21,097.5 meters)
Currently registered: Approximately 39,000
More information - Göteborgsvarvet
CITYVARVET
Date: Saturday, May 13th
Start: Götaplatsen at 1:00 PM
Finish: Slottsskogsvallen
Ages: All
Distance: 4.3 kilometers
Currently registered : Approximately 1,400
LILLA VARVET
Date: Sunday, May 14th
Start: Margretebergsgatan 11.00
Finish: Slottsskogsvallen
Ages: 7-13 years old
Distance: 1.3 kilometers (7-10 years old), 2.4 kilometers (11-13 years old)
Currently registered: Approximately 2,200.
More information - Lilla varvet
2023-05-05