Vikingarännet is organised by Friluftsfrämjandet (the organisation of promotion of outdoorlife) and Svenska Skridskoförbundet (the Swedish skating association)

The intention is to run two races on ice-skates once a year - Vikingarännet approx. 80 km and Vikingaturen approx. 50 km.

Vikingarännet is a annual event which takes place on the ice of Mälaren between Uppsala and Stockholm.

Vikingarännet started in 1999. It had 4000 participants on the ices of Ekoln, south of Skarholmen. In 2000, the race had to be cancelled, due to safety reasons. The weather was very mild and the ice cracked. In 2001 the race could go ahead despite a very warm start to the winter. There was around 4000 participants who skated on the ice north and south of Kungsängen. In 2002 the ice looked good around new year. This changed as warm air came and broke major parts of the ice. We were forced to cancel the race. 2002/2003 became the best "skating winter" since the 80's. The ice was stable before Christmas over the whole course. This meant VR 2003 took place at the end of January. The start was in Uppsala (Skarholmen) and the finish in Rålambshovsparken (Riddarfjärden). The winter 2004 had a lot of snow. Vikingarännet´s organisation work very hard to clear the ice.The race was carried through the second weekend in February. Despite heavy snowfall, we kept the course clear 80 km between Skarholmen and Hässelby.

Vikingarännet takes place on the fresh water of Mälaren - lots of people in Stockholm get their drinking water from Mälaren - the old viking route, between Uppsala and Stockholm. There are many cultural landmarks along this route

The reasons for arranging Vikingarännet are:

1. To stimulate tour skating on touring-type skates under safe conditions. This will increase the membership in the organisations arranging the race.
2. To create a marathon race on ice-skates to increase the interest in ice-skating as a racing sport.
3. So that the organisers and members of the organising bodies can meet and establish contacts at a project level above that of their local branches.
4. In order - in the long term - to contribute to the economies of the organising bodies.
5. The intention is that Vikingarännet, via the organisations involved, the local municipalities etc, should provide the people in the region with increased possibilities for open-air winter activities.
6. Vikingarännet has an environmental programme.
7. Vikingarännet will disseminate knowledge concerning the buildings etc of cultural value along the route.

Vikingarännet is run by a secretariat commissioned by the organising bodies Friluftsfrämjandet and Svenska Skridskoförbundet. The highest responsibility in the secretariat is held by the General Secretary (GS). In the steering group for Vikingarännet there are two representatives from each of the organisations Friluftsfrämjandet and Svenska Skridskoförbundet. Representatives from the commune of Stockholm and Uppsala are kept regularly informed about the organising groups work.

The limited company Vikingarännet AB (VRAB) is commissioned to do the sponsoring and marketing work for the race by the steering group for Vikingarännet. VRAB is controlled by a Board with two representatives from each of the organisations, Friluftsfrämjandet and Svenska Skridskoförbundet. There, the responsible man is the Managing Director (MD).

The co-operating associations are responsible for carrying out most of the work. There are about 300-400 stewards involved in the work of Vikingarännet. The associations will be reimbursed for the costs of this work. Below is a list of the categories of work in Vikingarännet for which one (or more) of the associations bear(s) the main responsibility for the planning and execution and for clearing up afterwards.

The functions of the stewards will be offered first to the organising bodies (Friluftsfrämjandet and Svenska Skridskoförbundet). If some of the stewards' functions in Vikingarännet cannot be tackled by these organisations, outside organisations will be offered these duties.