The helicopter takes us to the starting point, 17 kilometres out in the roadless land. The mountain terrain is magical, I cannot find a better word to describe it. Then there are sweat, pain, and doubts. Followed by laughter, pleasure, and euphoria. When it’s all over, all I can think about is: Why don’t all races take place in the mountains of Swedish Lapland?
The helicopter bringing us to the starting line of Arctic Circle Race carefully takes off from the gravel parking lot by the Silver Road, a couple of metres north of the Arctic Circle. The distance to start makes it a challenge to transport all the competitors out to the remote lake Guijaure in the mountain world of Arjeplog. There are no roads here, it is a helicopter or your own legs that will carry you to the start.