Summer arrived early this past weekend for a record number of runners, and record-breaking runs at NUTS Karhunkierros.
The trails were in perfect shape, with barely a cloud in the sky as Oulanka National Park hosted a spectacular, and hot day of running to celebrate its 60th anniversary. The volunteers, runners and spectators were in great spirits, with the sun shining and a day of adventure on the trails ahead, race director, Eero Lumme stated emphatically, “there is hardly anything more we could ask for!”
Glorious early summer day at Ruka. Photo: Aapo Laiho
The event carried it’s usual four distances (160, 80, 53 and 33km) and was ready for the influx of additional runners from last year in every category, as additional markers were stationed throughout the course ensuring each of the participants could find their way through the wilderness, some of them running their first ever trail race in the 33km. The conditions across the board produced fast results as each of the race winners dramatically outpaced efforts from the previous year. A key to the best performances of the day was to cope the heat. It was 17+ degrees throughout the afternoon (local seasonal temp: 5-10 degrees).
One of the highlights of the day was in the longest race, the 160km competition, as Mikael Heerman broke the course record in 20:30.47, an epic example of will & stamina. The second finisher was Heikki Siivari at 22:19.22 and three seconds behind him was Markus Juvala. On the women’s side, Saara Päätalo completing the course in 29:18.09, finishing more than two hours ahead of second place Kaija Järvi (31:22.23).
Mikael Heerman’s record-breaking finish in the 160km race (20:30.47) Photo: Aapo Laiho
The ‘original’ Karhunkierros race – 80km, was won by a superb effort by Ossi Kokkonen in 9:21.48 while Eetu Pekkanen & Jussi Korhonen tied for second at 9:46.44. Piia Siitonen won the women’s race in 10:39.33 ten minutes ahead of second place Pirjo Saukko.
The men’s 53km race was won by Henri Ansio (4:43.57) following up his Buff Trail Tour win in Bodom early this month, keeping him atop the leader standings. The women’s side was a real battle between Maija Oravamäki and Jaana Leivo, the former finishing strong and taking the race in 5:23.33 and now leads the women in the Buff Trail Tour. Leivo finished in second at 5:48.41.
Jaana Leivo and Maija Oravamäki keeping each other close in the early stages of the women’s 53km. Photo: Aapo Laiho
The mid-afternoon sun took its toll on all the runners to some degree, including Ansio who mentioned on Instagram how challenging the finishing 15km were. Mira Hämäläinen-Iho, who was running in her first trail-ultra, (finished 53km in 6:55.48 – 7th woman), said she had some “tough stretches in the race trying to stay hydrated, and I might have said to myself, I’m never doing this again! But I was able to get through to the finish with support from my family and friends along the way and the tremendous NUTS volunteers.”
Ossi Kokkonen trying to cool off at the final aid station. Photo: Aapo Laiho.
Eetu Nordman turned in a fantastic performance in the 33km, winning the race and finishing in under three hours (2:54.07), beating last year’s winning mark by almost 20 minutes. The women’s champion was Annika Vaara (3:49.33).
Runner’s climbing amongst Oulanka National Park’s splendid terrain. Photo: Aapo Laiho
The 33km event, the most accessible of the distances, saw the largest increase in registered runners, growing from 250 to 540. Lumme himself was surprised and delighted by the incredible surge in the number of entrants as it aligns with the primary goals for the events and NUTS in general is to “make the first step into trail running as easy as possible.”
Runner’s embrace & celebrate a well-earned accomplishment.
It truly was a memorable first race for many! Full results list here.
The next event on the Trail Tour is the Vierumäki Trail Marathon on 3.7.
You can find the current standings in the series under the BUFF® Trail Tour Finland menu.