Every year – if the ice is thick enough – there is a skating race that starts right on our lake and finishes 30 km further south at Stockholm. The race track follows ancient winter trading routes that the Vikings used to take when going from Stockholm and back hundreds of years ago.
Here’s Oscar waiting for the first group of skaters… (You can always click the pictures to see a bigger version.)
The race is called The Pub Race because when the Vikings followed this winter trading route, there used to be lots of inns where they could stop and warm themselves up or spend the night.
And here they come!
Nowadays, the 30 km race takes place without a pause… although at one point, the skaters have to take off their skates, cross a road and then run down a field in order to get to the next body of water.
Some people take it very seriously…
…While others are in it for the sheer fun of skating.
To enjoy other parts of the world, please visit: My World!
That is so cool! Literally and figuratively!
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That’s terrific! And I agree with Kristina — it is cool — literally and figuratively! I love it! And your photos are marvelous! Thanks for sharing the fun! Hope you have a great week!
Sylvia
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What an interesting story. Really like the shot of Oscar best. I have weak ankles and roller skated instead of ice. But I like the idea of going from pub to pub.
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That sounds like quite an adventure, but nothing tops the shot of Oscar anxiously awaiting the skaters!
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Fabulous motion shot of the skater in blue! The blurry back ground and focused subject…so good!
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looks like fun. i love your worlds eventhough it is different from my tropical world and the nearest i have come to snow is through a snow cone 🙂
thanks for sharing your world.
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Looks really fun! Great shots!
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I can’t stop looking at how perfectly at attention Oscar sits. He has the posture of a show dog!
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must be so much fun!
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Oscar looks so handsome sitting at attention
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that would be so fun to watch! and oscar is adorable 🙂
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I wouldn’t mind having a go but I’d like to stop at the pubs along the way…
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Wonderful shots. Looks like lot of fun.
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I just love it when men can pull off wearing tights/spandex!! Hahahahaha! Was this just a male skating contest or why weren’t you strapping on your spandex and skates and joining them my dear?? 😉
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There were plenty of women too.. I just didn’t manage to get any good photos of them…
I don’t know how to skate…
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I swear that Oscar cracks me up – what does he do when he sees the skaters?
I’m glad all that ice is put to good use, like 30km races. Yes, why didn’t you race?
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Well, I don’t know how to skate… Is that a good answer?
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What a workout that would be! Great tradition!
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What fun! I can’t believe Oscar doesn’t chase the skaters for fun as they go by. Unbelievable that a race for 30 km can be entirely on ice! Neat!
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I’d be out there in a parka like the Eskimos–I couldn’t wear their little outfits!!! I’d need 19 layers of clothing!
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You have a great blog!
Best of luck! 😉
Follow me if you want on http://ptitevalentine-be.blogspot.com/
x Valentine
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Gosh, I bet they’ve got thighs like steel. Do you skate? I’ve never skated or skied in my life.
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rolgit att du gillade mitt snöfall. 🙂
Skridskpr är ju inte min favoritsport preis. Även om det ser skönt ut.
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you have your own “olympic” race right in your backyard. how cool is that?
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Your story reminds me of “Hans Brinker and the Silver Skates” which was a favorite of mine as a young girl. Does Oscar do such a fine sit/stay when the skaters whiz by?
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Oscar sits at attention just as he does in the photo and watches them whizz by.
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Lovely action shots, especially the perspective of the second!
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Now that is the way to enjoy the winter..something so many people in the US aren’t used to. It looks like it was a lot of fun even for the canines….Michelle
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Doesn’t matter what type of competition it is, someone will always spoil it and take it serious! Your dogs are too cute! At least with my cat, nobody expects her to mind!
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That would have been a really fun race to see. They are certainly putting everything they have in strength and passion to flow towards their goals.
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How awesome! LOVE the picture of Oscar awaiting the action!
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looks like a blast!
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Nice pictures. Does Oscar chase the skaters? Maybe that will make them go even faster!
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No, he doesn’t chase the skaters. He’s too sweet and kind for that…
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how cool is that…bet it is fun to watch…
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I’m just worried about Oscar’s butt getting chilled!!!!
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Love your motion shots! Looks cool and fun.
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sorry but the image of skating, then running across a field, a road, is hilarious.
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Oh wow, Ladyfi;) I love the picture of Oscar waiting for the skaters. And I love [for some] of this race. Imagine taking off your skates, crossing the freezing road and field barefoot and continuing with the next section. What a fascinating post. Warm hugs. Jo
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These pics are great, but I admit…my fave is Oscar sitting there so patiently…..
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I’m so glad Oscar’s feeling better. He really is a beautiful dog, isn’t he! This race looks great fun! Did you follow to the nearest inn when all the skaters had passed?
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I’m so glad you asked me questions. No one else is!
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Oscar just sits there!, that ‘s amazing.
And this looks a little more like how the Olympics should.
Winter.
Thanks for sharing this peek at your world, I loved seeing something unique like this.
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You were in a good position to get such good pictures!! Do you skate as well?
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Fascinating to see Oscar sitting in the snow waiting like this … methinks Molly might find it too cold to park herself 😉
Love the whole series from your wintry world! Folks SURF here ya know?
Hugs and blessings,
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I can’t get over how straight up Oscar is sitting! I find the so fascinating at his attention.
And those skates look so different from the ones I’m used to. How fun!
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Lady Fi — what fun; thank you for sharing the tradition! I can see that Oscar loves observing the race. I should think that the participants today would want to stop at a pub! They definitely deserve to do so. Maybe they finish up at one at the end! Those are great pictures. Thanks
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I used to go bar hopping on roller skates – but that was in Florida 😀 I love Oscar… so sweet.
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Oscar’s a good boy. 🙂
Loved the glimpse into your world.
Pearl
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That sounds like fun! I love the picture of the dog out there waiting, so classic.
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I think Oscar is clearly the winner in this race (-;
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It must be a fun sight to see, great photos!! 🙂
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