Running in Finland

Bordering Russia, Norway, and Sweden, Finland is known for its quality of life and development. The country, centered around its southern capital, Helsinki, is a wonderful destination in the summer ☀️. Whether you wish to hike 🚶🏼‍♀️or enjoy a good rest on one of the country's countless islands, Finland 🇫🇮 awaits you. Winter brings a harsher climate 🥶... In terms of geography, this territory, dotted with lakes and forests 🌲, is flat in the south but offers more relief in its central and eastern parts. Similar to its neighbors, the Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, Finland is very green! And maritime too, with its long shorelines along the Baltic Sea. During the summer season, the population increases in the maritime regions (check this map !) opposite the city of Turku, the country's former capital. Many people there speak Swedish 🇸🇪, the second official language... But don't worry, Finns speak English 🏴, just like you 😁. If you decide to visit Finland, your journey will likely start in Helsinki, a lovely city built on a peninsula. Water 💧is everywhere. And since the city is very cosmopolitan 🌍, you'll have plenty of opportunities to toast to the beauty of the place! Other cities to explore, mostly located in the south? Espoo, just 15 kilometers from Helsinki, Tampere, a bit more inland, Vantaa, or Oulu... All these cities offer a lovely living environment, always close to water. A country as generous in terms of nature is naturally so for its fauna. The reindeer 🦌 (okay, it's a deer in the emoji...) populates Finland. Watch out ⚠️ on the Laponian roads, collisions with these imposing animals are not rare. Bears 🐻, lynxes, and wolves 🐺 also call it home... In Lake Saimaa, freshwater seals 🦭 swim freely. A sports-loving country, Finland is especially known for its motorsport champions. Rally fans will remember Ari Vatanen, and Formula 1 followers surely know Kimi Räikkönen... The magical footballer Jari Litmanen is known by all and has made the country passionate about soccer ⚽️. Remember the former Auxerre player Teemu Tainio... Okay, maybe that's a bit far! Ice hockey 🏑 is also a national sport.

Find here the calendar of races in Finland. Between Helsinki, Tampere, and Espoo, the courses and distances of the country will meet all your desires 🤪! Trail, Walking, Half Marathon or Marathon, embark on a journey below to discover the treasures of Santa Claus's country 🎅🏼, rumored to reside in Rovaniemi in the north of Finland... The Helsinki Marathon is a road race that generously offers both the city, its parks and its seashores. Multiple distances are offered, including a 10km, and the "Kids Run Helsinki Park" race is especially for children! Given the festive atmosphere during the event and the beauty of the Finnish capital, it's a race well worth registering for as a family or with friends. Also in Helsinki (it's that nice), mark your calendar for the Helsinki Half Marathon which takes place during the period of the midnight sun, in June. An opportunity to enjoy the charms of Finland even more... More challenging, the NUTS Karhunkierros offers trail aficionados several distance options through the mountains ⛰ filled with forests 🌲 around Kuusamo: short trail, long and ultra trail. Dress warmly, the race is demanding.

So, when is your trip to Finland planned?