Finland’s Largest Trail Running Event Family Expands to Helsinki Central Park – “There’s Nothing Like This Anywhere Else in the World”

Northern Finland’s popular NUTS trail running events are expanding to Helsinki. “We hope to see as many first-timers as possible at the starting line,” says NUTS HEL event producer Harri Jantunen.

NUTS Brings Trail Running Fun to Helsinki

The organizer of Finland’s most popular trail running events, Northern Ultra Trail Service, is making a new move in October by hosting its first event in the Helsinki metropolitan area at the Eläintarha Sports Field and Central Park.

“The metropolitan area has the most trail runners but also the greatest growth potential. We’re bringing an event concept tested in Northern Finland right to the heart of Helsinki, offering fun for the region’s trail runners,” says NUTS CEO Eero Lumme.

More Carnival Spirit

NUTS HEL replaces the Helsinki City Trail event that has been held in Central Park in recent years. In the fall of 2023, Helsinki City Trail attracted 580 participants.

“Now we’re bringing in a broader network, which will be reflected in more side services and carnival atmosphere,” Harri explains.

The carnival spirit familiar from NUTS events was evident last weekend in Kuusamo’s Ruka, where NUTS Karhunkierros exceeded the three thousand runner mark as the first Finnish trail running event to do so.

“Trail running parties are like festivals: the more people, the better the vibe,” Harri says.

A Surprising Running Environment

NUTS HEL event distances are 6, 14, and 24 kilometers. The start and finish are at the Eläintarha Sports Field. The longest route reaches the trails of the Haltialanmetsä Nature Reserve.

“The event combines the joy of running on pine needle-covered trails with urban amenities, as you can get there by tram. As crazy as it sounds at first, Helsinki is a fantastic city for trail running. Right in the city center, you can run tens of kilometers without treading the same path twice. There’s nothing like this anywhere else in the world,” Harri enthuses.

Harri says that for beginners in trail running, the community spirit and warm atmosphere among enthusiasts often come as a surprise. He wants to especially encourage newcomers to join the events.

“There’s no better showcase for the joys of trail running in downtown Helsinki. We hope to see many hands go up when the announcer asks at the starting line who are first-timers.”

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