Back in March 2015, before he competed in the final of Melodifestivalen, Måns Zelmerlöw vowed that if he won, he’d do the Swedish Classic – a series of four challenging long-distance athletic events. He was a man of his word, and with the completion of a 30km run yesterday, Måns has earned that title.
It started back in 2015, with the Melodifestivalen postcards. Each of the finalists were asked what they would do if they won Melfest. Most just named a fun or easy task, but Måns thought big, promising that he would complete the Swedish Classic the following year. And as he won with “Heroes”, he felt obliged to actually get out there and do it. And so began Måns’ big adventure.
The first part was in March, with the 90km Vasaloppet cross country ski event. Måns described the tough event as “probably the worst thing I’ve ever done”, but said that the “feeling when I crossed the finish line, cheered on by the people of Mora, was just incredible”. He finished in 9 hours and eight minutes.
Then came summer and the 300km Vätternrundan cycling event in June. It’s a scenic ride around Lake Vättern, but the event was still a challenge for Måns, describing it as “Probably the worst 11 hours of my life due to rain, pain and brain.” But as always he was very happy to cross the finish line, though noted that at the end of the event, he couldn’t really walk.
That was followed one month later by the 3km Vansbrosimningen open-water swimming event. Måns pulled on his speedos and completed the event in 1 hour and 12 minutes. He wrote that he was “SO happy!” to have completed the big swim.
And finally came the 30km Lidingöloppet cross country running event on Saturday. Måns clocked in with a time of 3 hours and 15 minutes. He said that the “30km terrain run today sounded worse than it was” though the final 4km “felt like three days”. And the finish — which ensured he had also earned the Swedish Classic Circuit award — was “MAGNIFICENT!”
And, we should note, in between competing in the Vasaloppet and the Vätternrundan he just happened to also host the Eurovision Song Contest. Fans may have noticed that Måns was looking particularly buff during the “wolf” skit — a direct result of his training for the Classic!
Congratulations to Måns for this achievement! But we’re wondering — will the winner of Melodifestivalen 2017 will also feel compelled to do the Swedish Classic?
Psh.
Come back to me when he does this all consecutively, without the sissy 1-2 month intervals.
My favourite winner
@KennyESC:
I think that’s highly unlikely, since Måns is a very masculine guy. But then, I suppose people thought the same about Bruce Jenner and we all saw what happened…
@MTD Hehe, suppose that was a bit funny! But he actually released “Stayin’ alive” just this friday.. (An electro cover of Bee Gees, together with Julian Perretta and Francisco Yates (the voice from “Sugar”/Robin Schultz)). He also released “Hanging on to nothing” and is featured on Joushua Radins “Belong”. Just becuase @William Lee Adams missed it, it doesn’t mean it’s not happening. And it’s all gooood!
@an esc fan from Måns Zelmerlöw he will become Mårianne Zelmerlöw lol
Amazing! Grattis Mans!
Remember the greatest athlete of all time … Bruce Jenner … is now Caitlyn.
Kudos to him. I wish I was having a life like his. Too bad. But, can he finally start making good music or? 🙂
And now he can finally eat carbs again. 😀
Måns is amazing!! Who do your readers think is the nearest we have to a UK equivalent?
wowww big ups to him
i cant even imagine how challenging that would be
I find this incredible. Well done!
Just a big HEART to this guy and the things he does in life. Wish I had 1/10 of that passion.